Sven's eartheater
Sven's eartheater is a freshwater cichlid in the family Cichlidae, native to the Xingu and Araguaia-Tocantins river systems of Brazil in South America. It has a tall, laterally compressed silvery body with rows of shimmering spots and reddish and blue markings, plus a dark blotch on the flank, and adopts the characteristic head-down sifting posture of Geophagus. It is a fairly peaceful, sociable cichlid best kept in a group of several individuals with other calm tankmates, becoming territorial only during spawning. A spacious aquarium with a fine sand substrate, warm soft to neutral water, and open swimming areas suits this sand-sifting species. It is an omnivore that sifts invertebrates, detritus, and plant material from the substrate and readily takes sinking pellets and frozen foods. It is a biparental mouthbrooder, with parents sharing care of eggs and fry, making it a rewarding species to breed.
Water parameters
| Temperature | 25 – 30 °C |
|---|---|
| pH | 5.5 – 7 |
| Carbonate hardness (KH) | 1 – 6 °dKH |
| General hardness (GH) | 2 – 12 °dGH |
Tank & stocking
| Minimum tank volume | 300 L |
|---|---|
| Volume budget per individual | 60 L — adds up with tank-mates |
| Minimum group size | 5 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 Sven's eartheater need?
Provide at least 300 litres for a small group to keep Sven's eartheater in good conditions.
What water parameters does Sven's eartheater need?
A temperature of 25–30 °C, pH 5.5–7.
Is Sven's eartheater peaceful or aggressive?
Its temperament is peaceful.
What does Sven's eartheater eat?
Its diet: omnivore.
How many Sven's eartheater should be kept together?
It is a social species: keep a group of at least 5.
How big does Sven's eartheater get?
Around 20 cm as an adult.
Is Sven's eartheater suitable for beginners?
Care level: intermediate.
Planning a tank with Sven's 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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