Description
Geophagus Steindachneri – Steindachner’s Earth Eater Cichlid
The Geophagus steindachneri, or Steindachner’s Earth Eater, is a beautiful and peaceful cichlid from the Amazon Basin. Known for its stunning colors, calm temperament, and unique sand-sifting behavior, it’s a great choice for hobbyists who want a striking yet gentle fish in their aquarium.
This species is often called an Earth Eater because it sifts through the sand in search of food, a fascinating behavior to watch. With its iridescent colors and engaging habits, it’s a standout fish that will add life to any tank.
Key Features & Care Guidelines:
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Striking Appearance: The Geophagus steindachneri has beautiful colors, with a mix of green, gold, and brown tones. Males are more vibrant, often showing red or orange hues, especially when breeding. They are a peaceful fish that looks great in any setup.
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Size & Growth: This medium-sized cichlid grows to 6–8 inches (15–20 cm), and occasionally up to 10 inches (25 cm). They do best in a tank of at least 55 gallons.
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Peaceful Temperament: Unlike many other cichlids, Geophagus steindachneri is peaceful and community-friendly. They can live well with other calm fish like tetras, rasboras, and catfish. They may be territorial during breeding but are generally calm and easy to manage.
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Sand-Sifting Behavior: These cichlids naturally sift through the sand to search for food, which helps keep the substrate healthy. It’s a fun and interesting behavior to watch in your aquarium.
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Water Requirements: They thrive in soft to moderately hard water with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.5) and a temperature range of 74°F to 82°F (23°C to 28°C). Regular water changes and good filtration are important for their health.
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Diet: Geophagus steindachneri is an omnivore, enjoying a diet of high-quality cichlid pellets, flakes, live foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia, as well as vegetable matter such as spirulina and blanched zucchini.
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Tank Setup: They need a soft, sandy substrate for their sand-sifting behavior. It’s also important to have plenty of hiding spots, rocks, and plants. A gentle filtration system is recommended to keep the water clean and calm.
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Breeding: This species is a substrate spawner. Both parents are very protective of their eggs and fry. The males will display vibrant colors to attract the females, and the parents will care for the young once hatched.
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Tank Mates: The Geophagus steindachneri is best kept with other peaceful species that enjoy similar water conditions, such as smaller cichlids, tetras, and catfish. Avoid aggressive species to prevent stress.
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced
While generally easy to care for, the Geophagus steindachneri benefits from a bit of experience in maintaining water quality and tank conditions. If you’re looking for a peaceful and unique cichlid, this species will be a rewarding addition to your aquarium.
With its peaceful nature and beautiful appearance, the Geophagus steindachneri is a perfect choice for aquarists who want a striking yet calm fish to complement their setup. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced hobbyist, this Earth Eater will bring charm and character to your tank!
Click & Collect
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Local Delivery
DELIVERED BY TROPICAL SUPPLIES • WITHIN 25 MILES
Order from our in-store range and have it delivered directly to you using our own local delivery service.
Minimum order: £50
Local Delivery Charges:
Up to 5 miles — FREE
5–10 miles — £10
10–15 miles — £15
15–20 miles — £20
20–25 miles — £25
Distances are measured “as the crow flies” rather than by road.
Once your order has been placed, we’ll contact you to arrange a suitable delivery date and time. We often combine nearby orders into efficient delivery runs, so local delivery may take a little longer during busy periods.
Ordering a large aquarium?
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Spend £75 or more on eligible dry goods and receive FREE UK delivery on orders weighing up to 20kg.
A great opportunity to stock up on food, treatments, filter media, accessories and other aquarium or reptile essentials while saving on delivery.
Free delivery applies to eligible orders up to 20kg and excludes livestock, aquariums, terrariums and other oversized items.
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Standard Parcel Delivery
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Orders placed before 12 noon may be dispatched the same day on our current dispatch days.
Express Pallet
75–500kg • Usually 1–3 working days
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Products marked Available to Order are not currently held in stock at our store but are available for us to order on your behalf.
Most items arrive with us within a few days and usually no longer than a week, depending on supplier availability.
Once your item arrives with us, we’ll either dispatch your order or let you know it’s ready for collection, depending on the delivery option you selected.
After receiving your order, we’ll check availability with our supplier. If there are any issues or expected delays, we’ll contact you to let you know.
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Minimum livestock order: £50
Thursday Delivery — £24
Order by: Wednesday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Wednesday afternoon
Delivered: Thursday before 1pm
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Order by: Thursday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Thursday afternoon
Delivered: Friday before 1pm
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Order by: Friday, 12 noon
Dispatched: Friday afternoon
Delivered: Saturday before 1pm
Add Dry Goods to Your Livestock Order
You can include suitable dry goods with your livestock delivery, making it easy to add food, treatments, filter media, accessories and other supplies at the same time.
Please note: Livestock deliveries cannot include frozen food or heavy items such as gravel, sand or other unsuitable bulky goods. These items must be ordered separately using an appropriate delivery method.
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