Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas. ๐ RED HEAD TAPAJOS GEOPHAGUS โ FULL DETAILS ๐งฌ Scientific Name: Geophagus sp. 'Red Head Tapajos'...
Live fish will be delivered only to selected pincodes in Kolkata and nearby areas.
Geophagus sp. 'Red Head Tapajos'
Red Head Tapajos
Red-Hump Eartheater
Geophagus Red Head
Orange Head Tapajos
Native Range: Tapajรณs River Basin, Amazon River, Brazil (South America)
Habitat: Slow-moving, sandy-bottomed rivers with leaf litter and submerged wood
Water Type: Freshwater, tropical
Moderate โ Ideal for hobbyists with some cichlid experience
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Adult Size | 5โ6 inches (13โ15 cm); males slightly larger |
Lifespan | 8โ10 years with proper care |
Body Shape | Laterally compressed with a sloped forehead |
Coloration | Pearl-like body with bright red-orange head, shimmering blue-green scales, and long trailing fins |
Sexual Dimorphism | Males are typically larger, with more pointed fins and brighter coloration |
Tank Setup | Ideal Parameters |
---|---|
Minimum Tank Size | 55 gallons (larger for groups) |
Temperature | 24ยฐCโ28ยฐC (75ยฐFโ82ยฐF) |
pH Range | 6.0โ7.5 |
Water Hardness | Soft to moderately hard (2โ12 dGH) |
Substrate | Soft sand โ essential for their sifting behavior |
Dรฉcor | Driftwood, rocks, live plants, and open swimming space |
Filtration | Strong, well-oxygenated, with moderate water movement |
Lighting | Moderate |
Note: Red Head Geophagus are eartheaters โ they sift sand through their gills while searching for food. Avoid gravel which can harm their gills.
Temperament: Peaceful, social, and intelligent
Community Friendly: Yes โ excellent for peaceful community tanks
Best Kept: In groups of 5 or more to reduce stress and territorial behavior
Behavior Traits:
Constantly sifting through sand
Social interaction with tankmates
Non-aggressive unless breeding
Angelfish
Severums
Corydoras
Peaceful tetras (e.g., Rummy Nose, Congo, Lemon)
Rainbowfish
Plecos (Bristlenose, etc.)
Aggressive cichlids (Oscars, Jack Dempseys)
Small shrimp (may be eaten)
Fin-nipping fish (Tiger Barbs)
Food Type | Examples |
---|---|
Staple Diet | High-quality sinking pellets/cichlid granules |
Live/Frozen | Bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia |
Vegetables | Blanched spinach, peas, spirulina-based foods |
Feeding Habit: Omnivorous
Feeding Style: Sifts through substrate for food; feed 2 times daily
Breeding Behavior: Substrate spawners, often forming monogamous pairs
Spawning Process:
Breeding pair chooses a flat rock or pit in the sand
Female lays eggs, male fertilizes them
Parents guard eggs and fry
Fry Care:
Fry can be fed baby brine shrimp or powdered fry food
Best raised in a separate breeding tank
In a community tank, fry may be eaten by other fish unless separated.
Issue | Symptoms | Prevention/Treatment |
---|---|---|
Ich | White spots, flashing | Raise temp slightly, Ich treatment |
Hole-in-Head | Pitting on head | Keep water clean, ensure proper diet and add vitamins |
Bloat | Swollen belly | Feed fiber-rich food and avoid overfeeding |
Health Tips:
Maintain high water quality
Avoid sharp substrate
Quarantine new fish
Offer a varied, high-quality diet
Weekly water changes (30โ40%)
Vacuum substrate gently to avoid disturbing fish
Monitor water parameters: keep ammonia and nitrite at zero
Clean filters regularly to maintain oxygen and flow
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Size | 5โ6 inches |
Lifespan | 8โ10 years |
Temperament | Peaceful, social |
Best Tank Size | 55 gallons or more |
Diet | Omnivorous (pellets + live/frozen + vegetables) |
Substrate | Fine sand only |
Ideal pH | 6.0โ7.5 |
Group Size | 5+ (thrives in groups) |
Breeding | Substrate spawner, parental care |
Suitable For | Community tanks with peaceful species |
Their name Geophagus means โearth eaterโ โ reflecting their natural sand-sifting habit.
Red Head Tapajos were only introduced to the aquarium trade in the late 1990s, making them a relatively new favorite.
They often "blow" jets of sand through their gills while searching for foodโvery entertaining to watch!
Despite being cichlids, they are surprisingly peaceful and can even be shy.
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