Geophagus harreri

27. May 2013

Geophagus harreri Geophagus harreri Geophagus harreri Geophagus harreri

For the first time ever we can offer this pretty eartheater. The parents originate from Suriname (exactly: the Tapanahoni river. However, the species occurs also in other rivers of Suriname, like the Maroni river, for example). The fish prefer a moderate to strong current, but change to habitats with less current for breeding. Keeping conditions: this species needs comparably high water temperatures and should be kept at least at 28°C. It is no problem at all to high up to 32°C! Soft, acidic and bacteria poor water boost coloration and set the fish up in general.

Maximum size: probably around 25 cm. Males become larger and are more elongate. Females stay smaller and look more stout. Old fish may get a slight hump, but this seems not to be sex-specific.

The species belongs to the open brooders and use roots or stones for spawning. Compared with other eartheaters, this species can be very aggressive. Thus one should keep G. harreri only in very spacious tanks (200 cm minimum length). It is possible to keep the species along with other large cichlids (other eartheaters, Mesonauta, Heros, Uaru, etc.) and keeping G. harreri in company with many other fish calms them down in respect to the aggressiveness. Personally I had until now up to 150 fry, but I guess that a good pair can produce around 400 young.

Text & Photos: Thomas Weidner

For our customers: the fish have code 678101 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only!

Lexicon: Geophagus: means “eartheater”. harreri: dedication name for one of the collectors of the type material.

Suggestion of a common name: Marowijne eartheater

Angaben zum Tier
Herkunft Nachzucht / bred
Verfügbare Größe in cm 3-5