Red Hump Eartheater (Geophagus Steindahneri)
Country of Origin: 🇺🇸USARed Hump Eartheater (Geo Steindachneri)
General Background
The Red Hump Eartheater is scientifically known as Geophagus steindachneri. It has its origins in the South American river drainages of northwestern Venezuela and western and northern Colombia.
Red Hump Eartheater is peaceful and grows to a maximum size of 6 inches. The fishes’ habit of eating earth requires a sandy substrate in the aquarium for sifting food. The fish gets lots of sand in its gills to sieve out food for eating. However, Red Humps will choke on gravel or may even refuse to eat.
The Red Hump Geos love living in schools of at least four fish unless you want to keep a pair for breeding. The fish species is small in size, hardy, and easily adapts to new habitats.
Unlike their delicate Geophagus cousins who need a fine sandy substrate for sifting food, the Red Humps take home-made foods well. The Red Hump Eartheater is social when young and more aggressive or territorial during spawning as adults.
Available as wild or captive-bred species, the fish thrive in soft water with a pH range of 5.0 to 8.0 and a temperature range of 700 to 820 F.
Tankmates
The Red Hump Eartheater gets along well with other fish species such as most South American Cichlids and larger tetras. The large size of Red Humps allow them to live peacefully with large fish from South America, including catfish.
The fish species is compatible with the Red Shoulder Severum, Chocolate Cichlid, and Rhino Plecos as suitable tankmates.
Feeds
The Eartheater is an omnivore with a preference for insects. They can feed on prepared diets, frozen foods, pellets, flakes, or even live food. Fluval bug bites are also ideal for Red Hump fish to eat. You can also mix the bug bites with fish food for added benefits.
FAQs
Is the Red Hump Eartheater aggressive?
The peaceful Cichlid can live well with non-cichlids and tetras. However, avoid keeping non-predatory fish from South America or any other aggressive fish below 6 inches with Red Humps because the eartheaters can eat them. Keep a group with one male or just a single fish.
What is the right tank size for Red Hump fishes?
You need a 50-gallon tank aquarium to keep one Red Hump or at least 75 gallon capacity for two fishes. The fishes can lay up to 100 eggs in a single clutch. A balanced omnivorous diet that is rich in nutrients promotes reproduction.
Stats
Scientific Name: Geophagus Steindahneri
Origin: South America
Size: 6"
Diet: Omnivore
Breeding: Egg layers
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
DOA Policy
While this is a rare occurrence, it can and will happen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that every one will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fish arrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag within 2 hours of the delivery time of your fish. We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem.
We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We can replace fish but shipping costs is the responsibilityof the buyer. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures,within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolve the issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
Shipping Policy
Most Shipments will be UPS Next Day Air unless otherwise noted. Processing fish for your order can take up to 2 business days. This is to ensure your fish and healthy, happy, and ready to be put in your tank when it arrives. We ship fish on Mondays- Wednesday (excluding holidays) to ensure fish arrive before weekends. This allows us to completely prepare the fish for shipping and ensure they are healthy prior to arrive at your door. All fish will be shipped with oxygenated water and specific additives in the water to ensure they maintain their health and stability during shipment. Depending on the species of fish and current weather conditions, the fish may arrive with a heat pack or ice pack to maintain the optimal temperature which further ensures the health and safety of your fish. All costs of shipping (postage, packaging,heat/ice packs, etc.) are included in the Shipping fee. We ship to only the continental United States.
FAQ
"The fish I received do not look like the fish in thepicture. Why is this?"
- We typically take photographs of one or two fish when we initially get them in. Since we have a large quantity of most of the various species of fish, it would be understandably impossible to provide a picture ofevery individual fish with a specific species. For some of our more rare orlarger fish, the picture listed may be the actual fish that you are receiving.If this is the case, it will be designated by ?WYSIWYG?, meaning ?what you see,is what you get?.
"What happens if my fish arrive dead?"
- While this is a rare occurrence, it can and willhappen from time to time. Fish are live animals and we cannot ensure that everyone will arrive alive or remain alive. We do ask that if your fisharrives dead (DOA), submit a picture of the deceased fish that is in the bag.We will work quickly with you to resolve the problem. We will offer replacement fish for any losses, but do not offer refunds at this time. We will reship any replacement fish at the buyer's expense. If you put the fish in your tank and it dies or is not acting properly, please contact us, with pictures, within 24 hours. We will again, do everything in our power to resolvethe issue and ensure that you have a great experience with these fish.
"What if I'm not home when the fish arrive?"
- We will always provide you with a tracking number. While the fish are packaged to survive about 72+ hours within the shipping containers, we do ask that you make arrangements to arrive home to inspect your fish as soon as possible after they are delivered to your home. Itis always suggested to provide an area for the delivery person to place the boxthat is out of direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
"What do I do with my fish once I've unpacked them?"
- Like you would with any new fish, let the entire bag float in your tank for 15-30 minutes. This allows the temperature withinthe bag to adjust to the same as your tank and will reduce temperature shock onthe fish. After this time, you can add all of the fish and water that is in thebag into your tank. The products used within the water for shipping will notharm any existing fish within your tank and actually makes the transition foryour new fish a bit easier. After this, expect your new fish to take a few daysto become fully adjusted, this includes hiding, floating at the top, sinking tothe bottom, and not eating. After a few days, your new fish should be acting aswimming like they normally would. At this point, enjoy your aquarium!
"I want to return my new fish because x,y,z?"
- Unfortunately, we are unable to accept returns.We do recommend contacting us via email with yourorder number and as much information as possible. We will try to assist you inresolving whatever the issue may be.
Love these fish, I ordered three of them and all doing great, and starting to show some color. Love the sand sifting they do. They go great with my Red Tapojos and Geo. Heckli. Thanks again
Very healthy fish
Es muy bonito me gusta mucho