General information – Although when they are juveniles they colorless

and even boring but when they reach the age of 1-1.5 they became

spectaculars. The Red striped earth eater has long snout; it has a black

blotch on its side and magnificent olive-green colors with colorful blue-

green stripes on its sides, it also has colorful blue spots on its fins. Its

name Geophagus came from Greek meaning eartheater. As the name

implies, the earth eater will continually shift through the substrate in

search of food. In the wild the Red striped earth eater found in pools

and backwaters in the rivers they inhabit.

Photo by: KAISER_T

Scientific Name - Geophagus surinamensis 

Family - Cichlidae 

Origin – Suriname, South America 

Size – 25cm - 30cm (9.84 in - 11.81 in) 

First discovered - Bloch, 1791 

Nutrition – In nature, the Red striped earth eater feed mainly on small open water crustaceans and

substrate dwelling crustaceans. It also observed in its natural habitat feed on vegetable matter. In captivity

their diet should includes veggies as well as live, frozen, flake and pellets food. Spirulina should provide

from time to time to enhance their colors.  

Behavior – Aggressive 

Maintenance and care – The Geophagus surinamensis or by its common name Red striped earth eater

can reach to about 30cm, due to its enormous size it should be kept in a 80 gallon or more. Their tank

should contain woods, as a substrate it is recommended to use sand or very fine gravel, just like in their

natural habitat. Well oxygenated water and good filtration system is essential for this fish. The Red

striped earth eater digging the substrate all day long so uneaten food and dirt will float and damaged

water quality.   

Water Parameters -Temperature: 24C - 27 C (76F - 88F), PH: 6-8. DGH: 4-18 

Breeding – The Red striped earth eater or by its scientific name Geophagus surinamensis reach to

maturity at age of 1 year. It is not so hard to sex between male and female Geophagus surinamensis.

Males develop long extensions on their fins while these extensions are much smaller or not exist at all

in females. The Red striped earth eater is a mouthbrooder. The Preferred spawning site is on a flat

stone, the female will take the unfertilized eggs in her mouth, and eggs will be fertilized after the male

release his milt into her mouth. This process occurs when the female follow the male very close to his

anal fin, the male have spots on this fin, those spots known as dummy eggs, the female believes

these are more eggs and goes to catch them this is the right moment for the male to release his milt.

In this species either parent will take the fertilized eggs in their mouth and hold them for 3-4 days until

hatching. Fry can be fed with newly hatched brine shrimp or with liquid fry food.