Altifron Eartheater
Geophagus altifrons
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 20–27 cm
- Minimum tank
- 500 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Yellow Acara
Aequidens metae
Common names: Yellow Acara, Meta River Acara
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 18 cm
Typical adult length 12–18 cm.
Up to 18 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 moderate-sized Orinoco cichlid with yellow-gold colour and blue iridescence, best kept as a compatible pair in a spacious aquarium.
Appearance and Identification
A yellow to olive cichlid with blue-green iridescent spots, a dark flank blotch, an eye stripe, and reddish fin accents.
It is separated from similar Aequidens by flank pattern, head markings, fin pattern, and Meta-Orinoco provenance.
Males are usually larger with longer dorsal and anal fins. Females become fuller and more strongly patterned before spawning.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 1,000–1,250 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
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 2
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Provide fine sand, wood, rounded rocks, open swimming space, strong filtration, and visual barriers. A pair needs a defined territory.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally manageable for its size but territorial, particularly as a pair.
Keep as a compatible pair or in a group only with substantial space.
Both parents defend the spawning surface and fry.
Use robust peaceful medium-sized fish. Avoid small fish, shrimp, and aggressive cichlids in confined tanks.
Water Parameters
Warm soft to moderately mineralised water is suitable. Stable clean water is more important than an exact pH.
Parameter caveat
Pair aggression can rise quickly during breeding. Keep a divider or alternative tank available.
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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
- 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 omnivore taking invertebrates, plant matter, and prepared foods.
Use balanced pellets with vegetables and frozen invertebrates. Avoid 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.
- 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 spawner. Eggs are laid on a flat stone, wood, or cleaned surface and defended by both parents.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Colombia, South America
- Natural habitat
- Freshwater River, Rocky Shoreline, Slow River
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Large Freshwater Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Aequidens
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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Pterophyllum altum
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 18–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 27–31 °C
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- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 300 litres
- Temperature
- 18–26 °C
Black Stripe Dwarf Cichlid
Taeniacara candidi
- Care level
- Specialist
- Adult size
- 4–7 cm
- Minimum tank
- 60 litres
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C