Xingu Altifrons Eartheater (Geophagus altifrons ‘Rio Xingu’)

One of several similarly marked colorful eartheaters in the so-called “surinamensis complex”, the Altifrons Eartheater is a widespread species found throughout several middle Amazon tributaries. The form known from the fast-moving Rio Xingu is typically found in clear, warm, acidic waters in small aggregations or breeding pairs, and will display their best coloration when kept in similar conditions.  A relatively peaceful cichlid, the Altifrons Eartheater will do well with most similar sized tankmates but very small fish may be in danger of being eaten. Like all eartheaters, a substrate of fine sand is essential for their well-being in the aquarium and they will spend most of their time sifting it through their specialized gills to pick out small food particles.