Eartheaters

[LosC519]

I'd like to know more about them. I am most interested in keeping Pindare I believe they're called. Can anyone share some info?

 

[shroob]

<a href="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=460" target="_blank">http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=460</a>
A very brief profile on them but it should get you started.


<a href="http/www.cichlidae.com/gallery.php?genus=Geophagus" target="_blank">http/www.cichlidae.com/gallery.php?genus=Geophagus</a>
Should also help too

EDIT: Can't link to the exact page on cichlid room companion but this is the info it has on it:
Original description:

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As Geophagus parnaibae.
*

Staeck, Wolfgang & Ingo Schindler; 2006; "Geophagus parnaibae sp. n.—a new species of cichlid fish (Teleostei; Perciformes; Cichlidae) from the rio Parnaíba basin, Brazil"; Zoologische Abhandlungen Museum für Tierkunde Dresden; 55; pp. 69-75.

Etymology: The species epithet parnaibae is a noun in the genetive case and refers to the distribution of the species in the basin of the rio Parnaíba.

Diagnosis: A small species of Geophagus (largest type 75,9 mm SL), which differs from all the other described species in the genus in the combination of (1) the lack of a ark infraorbital stripe or black opercular markings, (2) a caudal fin with distinct longitudinal bands, (3) only 30 or 31 scales in E1 row and (4) the small size (max. total length approximately 160 mm).

Geophagus parnaibae is a species of the G. surinamensis-complex (as diagnosed by López Fernández & Taphorn, 2004). It can be distinguished from all the described species outside this species-complex by the lack of a complete infraorbital stripe. Within the surinamensis complex the lack of a preopercular mark distinguishes Geophagus parnaibae from G. dicrozoster, G. winemilleri, G. proximus and G. brachybranchus. It can be distinguished from other Geophagus species without head markings except G. camopiensis by the low number of only 30 or 31 scales in E1 row. It differs from G. abalios (max. TL 20 cm), G. altifrons (23 cm), G. camopiensis (20 cm) and G. megasema (20 cm) by its smaller size (max. TL approx. 160 mm versus 200–250 mm) and from G. surinamensis and G. brokopondo by parallel horizontal bands versus light round spots in the caudal fin (cf. Kullander & Nijssen, 1989).

Geophagus parnaibae differs from G. camopiensis by a smaller (versus large) lateral spot, distinct longitudinal bands (versus light blotches) in the caudal fi n, usually XVII (versus XVI) dorsal fi n spines and usually 10 (versus 11) dorsal fi n rays. (Staeck & Schindler, 2006).

Type locality: Northeastern Brazil (Estado Maranhao), Richao Ponti near Timon (drainage of the rio Parnaíba).

Distribution: As currently known Geophagus parnaibae has a restricted distribution for it seems to be endemic to the drainage of the rio Parnaíba in northeastern Brazil (Estado Maranhao). The species is known from the following localities: tributary of the rio das Balsas between Richão and Balsas, small tributaries to rio Longa near Esperantina and near Barras, Richao Ponti near Timon and small tributary to rio Poti near Monsenhor Gil. (Staeck & Schindler, 2006).

Inhabiting countries: Brazil (endemic).

Habitat: Field observations indicate that the habitats preferred by Geophagus parnaibae are bare sandy bottoms in brooks and small rivulets which may have a remarkably strong current during the rainy season (Stawikowski, 1988). But during the dry season and the period of low water this species is frequently also found in pools and ponds with more or less stagnant water. Water data collected between April and September at several collecting sites: pH 6,5–7,6; electrical conductivity 20–350 ?S/cm; water temperature 24–31 °C. (Staeck & Schindler, 2006).

Feeding: The stomach and adjacent intestine of a specimen with a SL of 65 mm contained 80% plant matter (mainly seeds), aquatic insect larvae, detritus and sand grains (Staeck & Schindler, 2006).

Breeding: Geophagus parnaibae is a larvophile primitive mouthbrooder and practices biparental custodial care of the eggs and the fry (Stawikowski & Werner, 2004). Like several of its congeners this species starts reproduction like as a substratum spawner, but switches over to mouthbrooding as soon as the larvae hatch (Staeck & Schindler, 2006).

Comments: The species provisionally referred to as Geophagus sp. “Parnaiba” appears to have been known in the aquarium trade since 1988 when it was fi rst imported as an aquarium fish to Germany (Stawikowski, 1988).
References:

 

[LosC519]

Thank you for the info! 80% plant matter found in their stomach is surprising considering many people keep these fish without live plants and in rocky cichlid setups.

 

[duncs]

Another profile can be found here.

Geophagines and Satanopercoids (the two "eartheaters" genera) are hugely rewarding fishes to keep. Most of them grow to fairly large sizes, though sp. "Pindare" have a maximum size of around six inches so are fairly versatile. Couple that with the relative ease with which they can be bred and you'll find they make quite a good beginner's eartheater They're not regularly seen in retail, at least not in north east England, but they're a beautiful fish.

You'll find you probably can't keep them in a planted setup for two reasons. Firstly they prefer sand to gravel and secondly they'll uproot most plants. Floating plants are fine, but only really necessary to give the sp. "Pindare" more cover - most of the Geophagines will be skittish in bare tanks. Don't worry too much about the plant matter found in their stomachs in the wild - just make sure you're giving them plenty of vegetable stuffs in their diet, like bits of cucumber, spirulina and vegetable flakes. They will love your normal frozen foods like bloodworm and tubifex too.

 

[LosC519]

Another profile can be found here.

Geophagines and Satanopercoids (the two "eartheaters" genera) are hugely rewarding fishes to keep. Most of them grow to fairly large sizes, though sp. "Pindare" have a maximum size of around six inches so are fairly versatile. Couple that with the relative ease with which they can be bred and you'll find they make quite a good beginner's eartheater They're not regularly seen in retail, at least not in north east England, but they're a beautiful fish.

You'll find you probably can't keep them in a planted setup for two reasons. Firstly they prefer sand to gravel and secondly they'll uproot most plants. Floating plants are fine, but only really necessary to give the sp. "Pindare" more cover - most of the Geophagines will be skittish in bare tanks. Don't worry too much about the plant matter found in their stomachs in the wild - just make sure you're giving them plenty of vegetable stuffs in their diet, like bits of cucumber, spirulina and vegetable flakes. They will love your normal frozen foods like bloodworm and tubifex too.

Some more great info, thanks! I highly consider keeping these guys in the near future. I'll still go with a planted setup, I have experience with sand and I bet I could find away to keep the plants in place but I hope they're not plant shredders. I've been admiring eartheeaters for quite some time now. Unfortunately they're not available here but I'll find away, maybe online? I feed New Life Spectrum along with frozen foods mentioned so they'll get a high quality diet.