Geophagus altifrons
Geophagus altifrons
A large Amazon eartheater that sifts sand through its gills; surprisingly peaceful in a group, but needs a very big, warm, soft-water tank.
Key facts
- Body length
- 8.9 in without fins
- Minimum tank
- 202 gallons
- Group
- 5+
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Care level
- 4 / 5
- Lifespan
- Not well documented
- Diet
- Sinking cichlid granules, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp and daphnia
- Origin
- Amazon basin, South America
- Hardier than30%
- Bigger than86%
- Calmer than68%
Water: their range vs yours
Geophagus altifrons tank mates
- Neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Harlequin rasboraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Fancy guppyGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Panda corydorasGets along in shared water.Good mates
- OtocinclusGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Cherry shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- BettaGets along in shared water.Good mates
- AngelfishGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Tiger barbGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Amano shrimpGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black neon tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Black widow tetraGets along in shared water.Good mates
- Blue dolphin cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 16500 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Bristlenose plecoTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 12600 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Chinese algae eaterTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 17550 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Convict cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 13500 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- DemasoniTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 16200 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Fairy cichlidTwo territorial bottom-dwellers: need ≥ 14400 cm² of floor, tank has 5612 cm².Risky
- Iridescent sharkIridescent shark can eat Geophagus altifrons: prey body depth 9.0 cm ≤ mouth 32.5 cm.Avoid
- African clawed frogAfrican clawed frog should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Marbled crayfishMarbled crayfish should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- AxolotlAxolotl should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Crystal red shrimpCrystal red shrimp should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
- Pea pufferPea puffer should only be kept in a single-species tank.Avoid
How we check
The numbers the tank model uses for Geophagus altifrons: water as ideal and tolerated ranges, bioload from adult mass, space, flow and how they act on other species.
- Standard length
- 22.5 cm (SL)
- Adult mass
- 341.72 g
- Bioload at 25 °C
- 33.13 BU
- Min. water
- 648 L net
- Min. footprint
- 180 × 60 cm per group
- Group
- 5+ (best 8)
- Swims in
- bottom
- Flow
- low
- Body / fins
- deep bodied, normal fins
- Diet type
- omnivore
- Fin nipper
- none
- Sensitive to
- —
Sources: Seriously Fish: Geophagus altifrons
Care notes
Geophagus altifrons lives over sandy beaches in clear and blackwater rivers of the Amazon and grows to about 9 inches. It takes mouthfuls of sand and filters out food, and it is a mouthbrooder.
Keep a group of five to eight in a 6-foot tank of 180 gallons or more, on soft sand only, since gravel damages the gills. Groups smaller than five tend to pick on the weakest fish, and several small feedings a day suit them best.
Questions
What size tank does a geophagus altifrons need?
At least 202 gallons (648 litres of water after decor). Adults reach about 8.9 inches without fins.
How many Geophagus altifrons should be kept together?
Keep at least 5, ideally 8 or more: fewer feel exposed and hide or turn nippy.
What water do Geophagus altifrons need?
79–90 °F, pH 4.8–6.6 and 0–5 dGH. Geophagus altifrons come from Amazon basin, South America.
How long do Geophagus altifrons live?
Not well documented with good care.
What fish can live with Geophagus altifrons?
Good tank mates include Neon tetra, Harlequin rasbora, Fancy guppy, Panda corydoras and Otocinclus. Each is checked both ways for size, fin nipping, temperament, territory and shared water.