Megasema Eartheater
Geophagus megasema
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Leopold’s Angelfish
Pterophyllum leopoldi
Common names: Leopold's Angelfish, Dwarf Angelfish
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 15 cm
Typical adult length 10–15 cm.
Up to 15 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
The smallest recognised angelfish species, a social Amazonian cichlid requiring a tall calm aquarium and group structure.
Appearance and Identification
A relatively compact angelfish with a straighter forehead than P. altum, a dark bar through the eye, vertical body bars, and a small predorsal mark.
It is smaller and more elongated than many P. scalare forms. The predorsal notch and bar pattern are useful, but provenance remains important.
External sex differences are weak. Mature males may be larger, but breeding tubes and pair behaviour are more reliable.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 500–750 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 250–375 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 250 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 120 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 6
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Use a tall mature aquarium with branches, plants, open vertical swimming room, subdued light, and gentle filtration. Keep a group until pairs form.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally calm and social, becoming territorial after pairing.
Maintain a group of juveniles or adults with enough room for pair separation.
Pairs defend vertical spawning surfaces and nearby cover.
Keep with calm warm-water fish. Very small fish and shrimp may be eaten.
Water Parameters
Warm soft slightly acidic water is preferred, especially for wild fish and breeding.
Parameter caveat
Avoid fin-nippers, sudden cool changes, and very bright open tanks.
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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
- Insectivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Live baby brine shrimpUseful for conditioning adults and feeding juveniles; rinse before use.
- Daphnia, cyclops, or mosquito larvaeSmall moving prey encourages natural feeding behaviour.
- Frozen brine shrimp or mysisOffer thawed portions sized for the fish.
- High-quality cichlid micro-pelletUse as part of a varied diet after the fish accepts prepared food.
An omnivorous micropredator taking insects, crustaceans, worms, and prepared foods.
Offer varied small meals and ensure all group members receive food.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding temperature
- 27 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.2
- Brood or egg count
- Several hundred eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpPrimary food for free-swimming fry; feed small rinsed portions several times daily.
- MicrowormsUseful supplementary food for small fry near the substrate.
- Fine powdered fry foodUse sparingly and remove uneaten material.
A biparental substrate spawner placing eggs on vertical leaves, wood, or similar surfaces.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, Guyana, South America
- Natural habitat
- Blackwater, Clearwater, Floodplain, Vegetated Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Large Freshwater Aquarium, Planted Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Pterophyllum
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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Mirabilis Eartheater
Geophagus mirabilis
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 14–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 350 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Orinoco Peacock Bass
Cichla orinocensis
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 45–65 cm
- Minimum tank
- 1800 litres
- Temperature
- 24–30 °C
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 25–35 cm
- Minimum tank
- 450 litres
- Temperature
- 23–29 °C