Altum Angelfish
Pterophyllum altum
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 18–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
Species profile
Altifron Eartheater
Geophagus altifrons
Common names: Altifron Eartheater, Altifrons Eartheater
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 27 cm
Typical adult length 20–27 cm.
Up to 27 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Intermediate shrimp keepers
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A large, peaceful Amazonian eartheater that sifts fine sand continuously and should be maintained in a spacious group.
Appearance and Identification
Adults have a deep silver to olive body with iridescent blue-green spotting and red or orange patterning in the fins.
The species is variable across its range and is often confused with other Geophagus; locality data, flank spot pattern, fin markings, and adult proportions are important.
Adult males may become larger with longer fin extensions and stronger colour, but sexing immature fish is unreliable.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 2,000–2,500 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 500–750 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 500 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 180 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
Use a tank with a broad area of fine inert sand, powerful biological filtration, open swimming room, wood, and securely anchored plants. Keep at least five or six to distribute social pressure.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally peaceful for its size, socially assertive within the group, and constantly engaged in substrate sifting.
A group develops a loose hierarchy. Pairs may become more territorial during spawning but normally remain manageable in a large tank.
Breeding pairs defend a selected spawning area while the wider group continues to use the remaining tank.
Combine with robust peaceful South American fishes that are too large to swallow and do not compete aggressively at the bottom. Avoid small shrimp, tiny fish, and highly aggressive cichlids.
Water Parameters
Warm soft to moderately mineralised water is suitable. Clean water, high oxygen, and low nitrate are more important than chasing a single pH value.
Parameter caveat
Never keep this sand-sifter over sharp gravel. Match temperature and conductivity during large water changes.
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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 benthic sifter that takes insect larvae, small crustaceans, detritus, plant matter, and prepared foods.
Feed several smaller sinking meals across the sand so all group members can forage. Avoid large hard food pieces and mammal meat.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding temperature
- 27 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.5
- Brood or egg count
- Several hundred eggs from 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.
A biparental substrate-spawning cichlid. A pair cleans a flat surface or shallow pit, guards eggs and larvae, and moves the brood when threatened.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater River, Lake, Sand/Mud Substrate
- Aquarium contexts
- Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Large Freshwater Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Geophagus
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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- Care level
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- Adult size
- 12–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 300 litres
- Temperature
- 18–26 °C
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
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- Temperature
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- Care level
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- Adult size
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- Minimum tank
- 80 litres
- Temperature
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