Mirabilis Eartheater
Geophagus mirabilis
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 14–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 350 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Megasema Eartheater
Geophagus megasema
Common names: Megasema Eartheater
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 22 cm
Typical adult length 15–22 cm.
Up to 22 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 Bolivian Amazon eartheater with a large flank blotch, requiring fine sand, group structure, and a spacious aquarium.
Appearance and Identification
A silver-gold eartheater with blue-green iridescence, reddish fin patterning, and a conspicuous dark lateral blotch.
The large flank blotch gives the species its name. Similar Geophagus should be separated using locality and adult pattern.
Males may become larger with longer fins and stronger colour; females become fuller before spawning.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 1,600–2,000 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 400–600 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 400 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
Provide a broad fine-sand floor, strong filtration, wood, open swimming room, and a group of at least five.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally peaceful, active, and social, with temporary breeding territories.
Keep in a group to distribute dominance.
Pairs defend a cleaned spawning site and nearby area.
Use peaceful robust South American tank mates. Small fish and shrimp may be eaten.
Water Parameters
Warm soft to moderate water is suitable when clean and well oxygenated.
Parameter caveat
Coarse substrate damages normal feeding behaviour. Avoid small groups and high nitrate.
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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 taking invertebrates, detritus, and plant matter.
Distribute sinking foods across the sand in several daily portions.
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.
- 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 with both parents guarding eggs, larvae, and fry.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Bolivia, Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater River, 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
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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
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- Temperature
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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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