Geophagus Balzani

Geophagus Balzani currently approx 4cm •Scientific name: Gymnogeophagus balzanii (Perugia; 1891) •Synonyms: Geophagus balzanii •Common name: Paraguay Eartheater •Group: Cichlids •Habitat: South America; Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay •Size: Male: 20 cm, female: 14 cm •Biotope: Inhabits in swamps or slow-moving rivers, near the main river channels. •Social behavior: Territorial, males can be very intolerant with other cichlids, and can be very quarrelsome with other males. Can be kept with fish that inhabits in the upper levels of the tank. •Diet: Omnivorous; snails, crustaceans, aquatic insects, tubifex. Occasionally some vegetable matter: spirulina tablets or spinach. The Paraguay Eartheater take the substrate in their mouths and eject it through their gills, while retain any edible food they find. •Breeding: Quite hard •Tank: Minimum 200 litres: •Population: 1 male and 2-3 female for 250 litres •Decoration: Use a sand or fine gravel substrate, because they like to burrow. Therefore only robust, potted plants should be used as they may uproot them. Put some flat stones in their tank as this fish like to rest and breed on them. Use roots and driftwood as hiding places. •Temperature: 21-25°C •pH: 6.5-7.5 •Hardness: 5-15 NK° •Lifespan: 5-8 years