Care Level: Advanced

Temperament: Peaceful

Live Plant Safe: With Caution

General Description: The Argentine Humphead, also known as the Balzani Eartheater, Paraguay Eartheater, and Yellow-head Eartheater, has a large natural range across drainages in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. Because of this, there is some natural phenotypic variation among individuals depending on type locality. Their name, Geophagus, translates to “earth-eating.” This unique behavior of sifting mouthfuls of sand in order to extract food adds a quirkiness to the home aquarium, and why a fine substrate is absolutely essential for their well-being (see Care requirements below). Unless a pair of Argentine humphead are breeding, they are a rather peaceful cichlid though small tank mates should be avoided as they could be eaten by more mature specimens. This species is best maintained singly, as a compatible pair, or a male with several females. In general, Argentine humpheads prefer cooler water temperatures (see Recommended Water Conditions below). An additional challenge in keeping this species is that they also experience a “cold season” in the wild, meaning that seasonal changes drops water temperatures during a period of three months (low to mid 60°s). Experts state that replicating this artificial winter in the home aquarium is beneficial to keeping this species long term; this would likely only be achieved by the use of a programmable chiller, an expensive piece of equipment. Furthermore, few other Central and South American fishes would be able to endure such temperatures, thus making the Argentine humphead ideally kept more as a species-only setup. An adult Argentine humphead can reach a size of approximately 7″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild Argentine humphead are omnivores, but a greater proportion of their diet should be vegetable based. A diet made up of various high quality vegetable and protein based flake foods and sinking pellet foods are ideal, in addition to offering frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp that contains spirulina algae and other mixed freshwater preparations. Freeze-dried Tubifex worms are also a favorite, as are providing live blackworms occasionally as a treat. Variety is the spice of life in order to maintain color, immune function and longevity of your fish. Argentine humphead would particularily benefit from multiple, small feedings throughout the day because this allows for their natural browsing behavior.

Care Requirements: An established minimum 75 gallon aquarium is ideal for a single adult or group of 4 to 5 immature Argentine humphead. Mechanical filtration is highly recommended to extract small particles that are continually stirred up by their occasional sand-sifting behavior. This will also prevent wear and tear on your filter’s mechanisms. Argentine humphead are intolerable of nitrite or ammonia spikes. Weekly water changes are encouraged to keep water parameters up to standard for geophagus (Nitrates < 30 ppm). If maintenance is neglected, Argentine humphead are susceptible to head and lateral line erosion and stunted growth. Given their natural habitat, these fish do not like excessively turbulent water. A sandy or fine substrate is absolutely imperative for the long-term success and well-being of Argentine humphead. Coarse substrates can inhibit feeding behavior, damage gill tissue and even cause internal damage or blockages if ingested. The aquarium should be aquascaped mostly with driftwood or similar furnishings to replicate tree roots, but some open swimming space should also be provided. A few, flat rocks would provide potential spawning sites. While Argentine humphead would unlikely consume live plants deliberately, their natural browsing behaviors could uproot them and that is why they are listed to be added in a live planted aquarium “with caution.” Argentine humphead are compatible with a variety of medium fish (avoid small fish), so long as tank mates thrive in similar tank conditions, water parameters, and use other trophic levels of the aquarium. Do not mix Argentine humphead with overly aggressive or pugnacious Central or South American species. Recommended water conditions, 69-76° F, KH 5-15, pH 5.0-8.0.

Purchase Size: Small: 1-1/4″ to 1-1/2″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.