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Contents
Overview
Geophagus altifrons belongs to the eartheaters, cichlids that take mouthfuls of sand, sift it through their gills for food and push it out through their gill covers. It lives over sandy bottoms in clear and blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin. It has a very high forehead, scales with turquoise-blue sheen and fins with reddish patterns that intensify with age.
It is one of the most peaceful and social large cichlids: it lives in groups and rarely bothers fish of its own size. But it grows to about 10 inches (25 cm), so it is only suitable for keepers who can run a truly large tank with sand and excellent water. A spectacular fish for experienced hobbyists.
Care and tank setup
This is a group fish: keep at least 5 in a tank of around 160 gallons (600 L), 6-7 feet (180-200 cm) long with lots of floor space.
- Substrate: fine, rounded sand is essential. Gravel damages the gills and prevents natural sifting behavior.
- Water: soft to moderately hard, acidic to neutral and very clean. It is sensitive to nitrate, so use heavy filtration and generous weekly water changes.
- Décor: large driftwood, a few smooth rocks and lots of open sand. Rooted plants get dug up; use epiphytes tied to wood.
- Tankmates: medium to large tetras, angelfish, discus (if temperatures match), plecos and larger corydoras.
Peaceful as it is, it will still eat very small fish like neons. Always keep the tank cycled, filtered and heated.
Feeding
It forages on the bottom, so it needs sinking food: small, high-quality pellets and wafers, supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp or mysis and some plant-based food. Several small meals a day work best, mimicking how it grazes through the sand in the wild.
Breeding
It is a delayed mouthbrooder: the female lays eggs on a stone or piece of wood, and after a day or two she (sometimes the male too) picks them up and broods the larvae and fry in her mouth. Young fish keep retreating into the parents' mouths when threatened. It has been bred in large soft-water tanks, but it is not common.
Compatible tank mates
Species from our database that share water parameters, size and temperament with the Geophagus altifrons. Calculated from the data in each profile.
Discus Symphysodon aequifasciatus 79 gal (300 L) · 82–88 °F (28–31 °C) 
Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare 53 gal (200 L) · 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) 
Clown loach Chromobotia macracanthus 132 gal (500 L) · 77–86 °F (25–30 °C) 
Eastern rainbowfish (splendid rainbowfish) Melanotaenia splendida 53 gal (200 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Blue gourami Trichopodus trichopterus 32 gal (120 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Pearl gourami Trichopodus leerii 32 gal (120 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Blue acara Andinoacara pulcher 53 gal (200 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) 
Cockatoo dwarf cichlid Apistogramma cacatuoides 16 gal (60 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Bladder snail Physella acuta 3 gal (10 L) · 59–82 °F (15–28 °C) 
Blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus hybrid 53 gal (200 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Sterbai cory Corydoras sterbai 21 gal (80 L) · 75–82 °F (24–28 °C) 
Kissing gourami Helostoma temminckii 79 gal (300 L) · 72–82 °F (22–28 °C) Check the compatibility of your whole tank →
What not to keep it with
Popular species you shouldn’t house with the Geophagus altifrons, and why.
- Cherry barb: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Tiger barb: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Betta fish: one may eat the other due to size
- Common goldfish: incompatible temperatures
- Panda cory: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Zebra danio: incompatible temperatures, one may eat the other due to size
- Guppy: incompatible pH, one may eat the other due to size
- Dwarf gourami: one may eat the other due to size
Recommended equipment
What you need to keep the Geophagus altifrons healthy, checked against Amazon stock.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters does a Geophagus altifrons need?
At least about 600 liters for a group of at least 5 fish. More space always helps keep the water stable.
What water temperature does the Geophagus altifrons need?
Between 26 and 30 °C, with a pH of 5 to 7.
What fish can live with the Geophagus altifrons?
Based on water, size and temperament, it fits with species such as Discus, Angelfish, Clown loach, Eastern rainbowfish (splendid rainbowfish) and Blue gourami. Use our compatibility calculator to check your whole tank.
Can the Geophagus altifrons be kept with shrimp?
Not recommended: because of its size or instinct, it will eat shrimp.
