Orinoco Peacock Bass
Cichla orinocensis
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45–65 cm
- Minimum tank
- 1800 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Species profile
Mirabilis Eartheater
Geophagus mirabilis
Common names: Mirabilis Eartheater
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 20 cm
Typical adult length 14–20 cm.
Up to 20 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Advanced shrimp keepers
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A rare Brazilian eartheater best maintained in a social group over fine sand with excellent filtration.
Appearance and Identification
A slender silver-gold Geophagus with iridescent blue-green spotting, warm fin markings, and a dark lateral spot.
This uncommon species can be confused with related Geophagus. Provenance and adult pattern are essential for reliable identification.
Adult males may become larger and more extended-finned, but sexing juveniles is unreliable.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 1,400–1,750 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 350–525 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 350 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 150 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 6
- Activity level
- High
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Keep a group over fine sand in a mature aquarium with strong filtration, high oxygen, wood, and open floor space.
Behaviour and Tankmates
A social, generally peaceful sand-sifter with temporary pair territoriality.
Keep at least five to prevent one fish from receiving constant aggression.
Pairs defend a limited spawning area.
Use peaceful robust companions; avoid small fish, shrimp, and aggressive cichlids.
Water Parameters
Warm soft slightly acidic water is preferred. Stable clean conditions are essential.
Parameter caveat
Because reliable captive data are limited, avoid extreme parameter values and document the source population.
Some links may earn us a commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Check suitability, price and availability with the seller. How affiliate links work
Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Detritivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality sinking cichlid pelletUse a staple pellet appropriate to the fish size and mouth shape.
- Chopped shrimp, mussel, or earthwormOffer clean unseasoned portions as rotating protein foods.
- Blanched leafy greens or peasUseful for omnivorous and plant-eating species; remove leftovers promptly.
- Frozen krill or mysisFeed in moderation to add variety and support colour.
An omnivorous sand-sifter taking small invertebrates, detritus, and prepared foods.
Offer several small sinking meals spread across the substrate.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding temperature
- 27 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.2
- Brood or egg count
- A dependable published aquarium range is not available; expect a clutch of several hundred eggs in a mature pair.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpSuitable after yolk absorption for most cichlid fry.
- Crushed high-quality cichlid pelletIntroduce gradually as fry grow.
- Finely chopped frozen cyclopsUseful supplementary food for larger fry.
Available evidence supports biparental substrate spawning and guarding typical of related Geophagus, though detailed aquarium reports are limited.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater River, Sand/Mud Substrate
- Aquarium contexts
- Freshwater Aquarium, Large Freshwater Aquarium, Species-Only Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Geophagus
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
Have you kept this species?
You can write a note about what worked for you, or send a photograph. We check everything before it appears here.
Share a note or photo
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 25–35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 450 litres
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C
Parrot Cichlid
Amphilophus citrinellus × Vieja melanurus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15–25 cm
- Minimum tank
- 250 litres
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
Pearl Cichlid
Geophagus brasiliensis
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 20–30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 450 litres
- Temperature
- 18–28 °C