{"product_id":"red-hump-cichlid-geophagus-steindachneri","title":"Red Hump Cichlid | Geophagus steindachneri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Hump Eartheater is a peaceful, characterful sand-sifting cichlid whose dominant males grow a striking red nuchal bump on the forehead. Reaching around 15cm, it spends its day gently combing the substrate for food and is one of the more gentle, community-friendly South American cichlids. Its mouthbrooding behaviour makes it a rewarding curiosity, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGeophagus steindachneri comes from the Río Magdalena drainage of Colombia in South America, living in slow-moving rivers and lakes over sandy and muddy bottoms, where it sifts the substrate for small invertebrates and organic matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA streamlined, silvery-bronze cichlid with subtle red and blue markings on the fins and face. The standout feature is the large red-brown nuchal hump that develops on dominant males; females stay smaller and hump-free. Males reach around 15cm, females closer to 12cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful for a cichlid and a good community fish with similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. Males can squabble with each other over territory, so give space or keep one male with several females. Its gentle, busy sand-sifting rarely troubles other fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous sand-sifter. It takes mouthfuls of sand and filters out edible morsels, so a soft sand substrate is important for natural feeding and to protect its gills. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and some vegetable matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide soft, slightly acidic to neutral water and, crucially, a fine sand substrate for sifting. A roomy tank with open areas, some rockwork or wood, and gentle-to-moderate flow suits it well. Hardy once settled, though sensitive to poor water quality, so keep filtration and water changes on point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn unusual maternal mouthbrooder for a Geophagus. The female lays a small batch of eggs in a pit, takes them into her mouth, and the male fertilises them; she then incubates the eggs and fry in her mouth for a couple of weeks. Easy to breed in a settled group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeophagus steindachneri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Hump Eartheater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth America (Río Magdalena, Colombia)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 15cm males; females ~12cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 litres or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sand-sifter)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–15 dGH (soft to moderately hard)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers wanting a peaceful South American cichlid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly — sifts sand and may unsettle plants but rarely eats them\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful, similarly sized South American fish such as larger tetras, other calm eartheaters, Corydoras, peaceful catfish and rainbowfish. Keep one male with several females to reduce squabbling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAggressive or much larger cichlids, boisterous fish that outcompete it at the substrate, and any tank with a coarse, sharp substrate that prevents natural sifting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232806912291,"sku":"AA2255","price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232806945059,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232806977827,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Hump_Cichlid_a4285c28-c4f4-435d-a4f7-cd6c41782468.jpg?v=1781699456","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-hump-cichlid-geophagus-steindachneri","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}