Description
Geophagus surinamensis – The Classic Earth-Eater with Timeless Beauty
The Geophagus surinamensis, also known as the Red-Striped Eartheater, is a peaceful and stunning South American cichlid admired for its elegant shape, iridescent body, and natural sand-sifting behavior. Originating from the slow-moving waters of the Amazon and its tributaries, this species is characterized by its elongated fins, metallic blue-green body, and a series of subtle red horizontal stripes that become more vivid with age.
True to its name, the Geophagus surinamensis loves to forage in soft sand, gently filtering it through its gills in search of food—a behavior that adds constant activity and natural beauty to any aquarium. It thrives in a calm, well-aquascaped tank with driftwood, rocks, and open areas for grazing.
Key Features:
-
Coloration: Iridescent blue-green body with fine red horizontal lines and long, flowing fins
-
Temperament: Peaceful and social—best kept in groups or with other gentle species
-
Size: Can reach up to 8–10 inches in adulthood
-
Tank Requirements: Minimum 75 gallons with fine sand substrate, warm and slightly acidic water, and good filtration
-
Diet: Omnivorous—enjoys sinking pellets, frozen/live foods, and vegetable-based options
-
Compatibility: Pairs well with other peaceful South American fish such as tetras, Severums, Corydoras, and mild-mannered cichlids
The Geophagus surinamensis is a classic choice for aquarists seeking a large, elegant, and peaceful cichlid with captivating natural behavior—perfect for South American biotope and community tanks alike.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
-
Minimum spend: £50
-
Delivery up to 10 miles: £10
-
Delivery up to 25 miles: £20
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
-
DPD Next Day: 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
-
DX Next Day (Heavy Items & Small Aquariums): 1 working day (order before 12 noon)
-
Express Pallet: 1–3 working days
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
-
Delivered Thursday before 1pm
-
Order by Wednesday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
-
Dispatched Thursday afternoon
-
Delivered Friday before 1pm
-
Order by Thursday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
-
Dispatched Friday afternoon
-
Delivered Saturday before 1pm
-
Order by Friday 12 noon
-
Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.