{"product_id":"red-striped-earth-eater-geophagus-surinamensis","title":"Red Striped Earth Eater | Geophagus surinamensis","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Red Striped Earth Eater is a classic 'geo' — iridescent flanks streaked with red, forever sifting the substrate for morsels. A peaceful, elegant eartheater that reaches 25–30 cm, it is best kept in a group over soft sand where it can graze naturally in a large tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeophagus surinamensis comes from the coastal rivers of the Guiana Shield, particularly Suriname, living over sandy and muddy bottoms in warm, soft to neutral water. It spends its day sifting mouthfuls of sand for small invertebrates and organic matter, so a fine sand bed is central to its wellbeing.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA large, streamlined cichlid with pearly, iridescent flanks marked by rows of blue-green and red spots and streaks, and trailing fin extensions on mature fish. Colour intensifies with age, good diet and a settled group. Note that several similar Geophagus species are traded under this name, but all share the same sand-sifting habits.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePeaceful for a large cichlid, it is best kept in a group of five or more, which spreads out mild squabbling and encourages natural behaviour. It mixes well with other calm, medium-large community fish such as larger tetras, peaceful catfish and other gentle cichlids in a spacious tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivorous sand-sifter. Offer sinking pellets and granules, frozen and live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia, plus some vegetable content. Foods that settle on the sand let it feed in its natural sifting manner. Avoid coarse gravel, which prevents proper feeding and can injure the gills.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 250 L, with 300 L or larger better for a group of these active fish. Keep temperature at 24–30 °C, pH 6.0–7.5 and GH soft to medium, around 3–15. A deep bed of soft sand, gentle current and clean, well-filtered water are essential. It is largely plant safe, though its constant sifting can unsettle shallow-rooted plants, so anchor them well.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGeophagus surinamensis is a delayed mouthbrooder: eggs are laid on a cleaned surface, then taken into the mouth of a parent to be brooded until the fry are free-swimming. A settled group in a large tank will often pair off and spawn, making fascinating and attentive parents.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGeophagus surinamensis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Striped Earth Eater, Surinam Eartheater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastal rivers of Suriname and the Guiana Shield, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25–30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (best in a group)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (sand-sifter): sinking pellets, granules, frozen and live foods, some vegetable matter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–30 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to medium, around 3–15 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge, soft-sand community and cichlid aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMostly (may unsettle shallow-rooted plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful eartheaters, larger tetras, peaceful catfish such as larger corydoras and plecos, Severums and other calm, medium-large community fish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with small fish that may be eaten, very aggressive cichlids, and boisterous fin-nippers. Avoid coarse gravel substrates and cool, unstable water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232807043363,"sku":"AA2257","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232807076131,"sku":null,"price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232807108899,"sku":null,"price":39.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351965942051,"sku":null,"price":44.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Striped_Earth_Eater_6dcb7109-c207-4439-b8a5-a71cec8c55b9.jpg?v=1781699462","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-striped-earth-eater-geophagus-surinamensis","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}