Red head Tapajos eartheater
Geophagus pyrocephalus, long known in the hobby as the Red Head Tapajos eartheater, is a South American cichlid from the clear, warm waters of the Rio Tapajós basin in Brazil. Reaching around 18 cm, it develops a vivid red-orange head over a silvery, iridescent body and is prized for its constant sand-sifting behaviour, taking mouthfuls of substrate to filter out small invertebrates. It is a relatively peaceful, group-living species that should be kept in a shoal of at least six in a spacious tank of 300 litres or more, over a deep bed of fine sand essential to its natural feeding. Provide soft, warm, acidic water at 26 to 30 degrees, pH 5.0 to 7.0 and low hardness, with strong filtration. Feed a varied omnivorous diet of sinking pellets, frozen and live foods. Ideal for a spacious Amazon community with peaceful tankmates.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 26 – 30 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 5 – 7 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 6 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 2 – 10 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 300 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 80 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 6 individuals (shoaling) |
“Minimum tank volume” is a reasonable floor, not an absolute limit. The per-individual budget is used by the Aqua app to estimate how heavily a tank is stocked.
Frequently asked questions
What size aquarium does Red head Tapajos eartheater need?
Provide at least 300 litres for a small group to keep Red head Tapajos eartheater in good conditions.
What water parameters does Red head Tapajos eartheater need?
A temperature of 26–30 °C, pH 5–7.
Is Red head Tapajos eartheater peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Red head Tapajos eartheater eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Red head Tapajos eartheater should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 6.
How big does Red head Tapajos eartheater get?
Around 18 cm as an adult.
Is Red head Tapajos eartheater suitable for beginners?
Care level: intermediate.
Planning a tank with Red head Tapajos eartheater?
AquaTender turns these parameters into live advice: it checks whether your tank is big enough, how heavily it's stocked, and whether your fish are compatible — then tracks water tests, photos and maintenance for you.
Fish from the same biotope
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