Pearl Eartheater (Geophagus brasiliensis)

One of the larger growing South American Eartheaters, the Pearl Eartheater or Pearl Cichlid originates from waters all along coastal Brazil where it is found in a wide variety of habitat types. With adults displaying spectacular blue spotting, it has been a favorite in the hobby for many years and is now bred commercially on a large scale. Unlike many of the other eartheaters, it is a fairly aggressive and territorial fish and will do best with equally aggressive or non-cichlid tankmates. Less of a substrate-sifter than most species of Geophagus, it will thrive in most aquariums provided the tank is large enough.