Surinam eartheater

The Surinam eartheater is a freshwater cichlid in the family Cichlidae, native to coastal river drainages of the Guianas and eastern South America. It has an elongated, silvery body with iridescent blue-green and orange horizontal streaking, extended fin filaments in mature specimens, and a sloping head used to sift substrate. It is a relatively peaceful cichlid for its size, best kept in a group and with other calm, medium-sized fish, though it becomes more territorial when breeding. A large tank with a soft sand substrate is essential, as this fish constantly takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out edible particles. It is an omnivorous substrate-sifter feeding on invertebrates, detritus, and plant matter, and accepts sinking pellets and frozen foods. Geophagus are mouthbrooders or biparental caretakers depending on the species group, and this fish can be bred in a spacious, well-maintained aquarium.