BC_Kron
Mar 13th 2007, 12:57 AM
Common name: often sold as Surinemensis, or Redstripped Eartheaters, although G. Altifrons is a seperate species.
Scientific name:Geophagus Altifrons
Family:Cichlidae
Origin:Guyana to the Amazon.
Adult size:10" ,although not usually larger than 6"
Tank Specs:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons or larger with a sandy bottom and flat rocks.
Water Parameters (PH/GH/KH): pH 6.2-7.5 (6.9), 3-15 dH (8)
Temperature: 77-84°F (25-29°C)
Special Requirements. Include hardy plants, roots, wood, and rocks for hiding places. Excellent filtration is needed as the substrate is stirred up from their constant burrowing.Suitable Tankmates:Catfish (Callichthys, Loricarids, Pimelodids, Doradids), characins (Hatchetfish, Headstanders, large tetras), and other Eartheaters.
Diet: Live/frozen crustaceans,worms, tablets, sinking flake foods.
Sexing:Females have rounded fins while males have extensions on the dorsal and anal fins.
Breeding and Reproduction: They are larvophile mouth brooders.The female will lay eggs on a carefully cleaned rock, and the male will do passes over the eggs depositing sperm. The female closely guards the eggs, will the male keeps the perimeter. Once the eggs hatch, (3 days) the female will take them into her mouth for protection. During the next 14-21 days, the male will occasionally take the brood so the female can feed, if their is an immediate threst to the fry, but otherwise the female raises the fry.
Breeding:They will pair up and form nuclear families.
Notes: G. Altifrons are easily confused with G. Surinemensis, or G. Brachybranchus. G.Surinemensis have stripes in their tail.
G. Brachybranchus also have stripes in their tails, but have a black chin.
G. Altifrons have spots in the tail.
5" Female Geophagus Altifrons
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m15/bc_kron/March%2007/1040289.jpg
© May not be reproduced without permission of author
Scientific name:Geophagus Altifrons
Family:Cichlidae
Origin:Guyana to the Amazon.
Adult size:10" ,although not usually larger than 6"
Tank Specs:
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons or larger with a sandy bottom and flat rocks.
Water Parameters (PH/GH/KH): pH 6.2-7.5 (6.9), 3-15 dH (8)
Temperature: 77-84°F (25-29°C)
Special Requirements. Include hardy plants, roots, wood, and rocks for hiding places. Excellent filtration is needed as the substrate is stirred up from their constant burrowing.Suitable Tankmates:Catfish (Callichthys, Loricarids, Pimelodids, Doradids), characins (Hatchetfish, Headstanders, large tetras), and other Eartheaters.
Diet: Live/frozen crustaceans,worms, tablets, sinking flake foods.
Sexing:Females have rounded fins while males have extensions on the dorsal and anal fins.
Breeding and Reproduction: They are larvophile mouth brooders.The female will lay eggs on a carefully cleaned rock, and the male will do passes over the eggs depositing sperm. The female closely guards the eggs, will the male keeps the perimeter. Once the eggs hatch, (3 days) the female will take them into her mouth for protection. During the next 14-21 days, the male will occasionally take the brood so the female can feed, if their is an immediate threst to the fry, but otherwise the female raises the fry.
Breeding:They will pair up and form nuclear families.
Notes: G. Altifrons are easily confused with G. Surinemensis, or G. Brachybranchus. G.Surinemensis have stripes in their tail.
G. Brachybranchus also have stripes in their tails, but have a black chin.
G. Altifrons have spots in the tail.
5" Female Geophagus Altifrons
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m15/bc_kron/March%2007/1040289.jpg
© May not be reproduced without permission of author