Yellowhump eartheater - Geophagus pellegrini

Scientific name: Geophagus pellegrini

Common name: Yellowhump eartheater

Family: Cichlidae

Usual size in fish tanks: 14 - 16 cm (5.51 - 6.3 inch)

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Recommended pH range for the species: 6 - 7

Recommended water hardness (dGH): 4 - 15°N (71.43 - 267.86ppm)

0°C 32°F30°C 86°F

Recommended temperature: 23 - 29 °C (73.4 - 84.2°F)

The way how these fish reproduce: Spawning

Where the species comes from: South America

Temperament to its own species: peaceful

Temperament toward other fish species: peaceful

Usual place in the tank: Middle levels

Food and feeding

Use a quality flake or pellets for the staple diet, Yellowhump eartheaters will also relish treats of blood worms, brine shrimp and chopped earthworms.

Origin

South America; Yellowhump eartheaters are found in the river basins in Colombia.

Sexing

Males tend to be larger than the females and more colourful, they will also develop a nuchal hump when mature.

Breeding

Yellowhump eartheaters do not actually form pairs but the male will try to court several females at the same time. The female will clean the spawning site and lay her eggs one at a time. The male will then spread his sperm on the rock after the female has scooped up the initial eggs. Further eggs are then laid on the stone and the female will again scoop them up into her mouth, because of this process it is believed that the fertilisation actually takes place in the female’s mouth. The fry should be released after a week and will feed on newly hatched brine shrimp and crushed flake.

Lifespan

The expected life span for Geophagus pellegrini is 10-15 years.

Short description

A male should be housed with several females to prevent a solitary female being harassed. Always use a fine substrate in the tank as Geophagus pellegrini love digging through looking for titbits.

Pictures

Bought by aqua-fish.net from jjphoto.dk.