Description

Geophagus jurupari

Geophagus jurupari, also known as the Demon Eartheater, is a fascinating and popular cichlid species native to the Amazon River basin in South America. They are known for their unique behaviour of sifting through the substrate to find food, which gives them their common name.

Habitat and Tank Setup
Tank Size: Due to their adult size of up to 10 inches and their social nature, a large tank is essential. A tank of at least 75 gallons is recommended, and a 100+ gallon tank is even better for a group of these fish.

Substrate: The most crucial element of their tank setup is a soft, sandy substrate. G. jurupari are “eartheaters” and will spend most of their time sifting through the sand in search of food. Gravel can damage their gills and inhibit their natural feeding behaviour.

Decor: Provide plenty of hiding spots and territories with driftwood, rocks, and caves. While they can be kept with plants, they will often uproot them while sifting. It’s best to use robust plants that can be attached to driftwood or rocks, such as Anubias or Java Fern.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 75-82F (24-28C)

pH: 5.5-7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Water Hardness: Soft to moderately hard water.

Filtration: Excellent filtration is vital, as these fish are very sensitive to deteriorating water quality. Use a powerful filter, but avoid high flow rates. Regular, large water changes (50-70% weekly) are essential.

Lighting: They prefer relatively dim lighting.

Diet
Omnivore: G. jurupari are omnivores. In the wild, they feed on small invertebrates and plant matter.

Aquarium Diet: In the aquarium, provide a varied diet of high-quality, fine-grade prepared foods. This includes flakes and pellets. Supplement their diet with frozen or live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae.

Feeding Behaviour: Feed them small portions 3-4 times a day to allow for their natural browsing behavior. This also helps to prevent a buildup of waste in the tank.

Behaviour and Tank Mates
Temperament: They are generally peaceful cichlids. However, they can become territorial, especially when breeding.

Social Structure: It is best to keep G. jurupari in a group of 8 or more to establish a natural hierarchy and spread out any aggression.

Tank Mates: Choose peaceful tank mates that can tolerate similar water conditions. Good options include other peaceful South American cichlids, larger tetras, and catfish. Avoid small fish that might be seen as a food source.

Breeding
G. jurupari are maternal mouthbrooders.

Breeding can be challenging but rewarding. To encourage spawning, you can provide a flat rock or piece of driftwood as a spawning site.

The female will lay eggs on the chosen surface, and the male will fertilise them. The female then immediately takes the fertilised eggs into her mouth for incubation.

She will hold the eggs for about two weeks. Once the fry are free-swimming, she will continue to provide shelter for them in her mouth for several more weeks.

The fry can be fed with baby brine shrimp or crushed flake food.