Altifrons Eartheater Cichlid (Geophagus Altifrons)

Altifrons Eartheater Cichlid — Geophagus altifrons

Graceful sifter with subtle Amazon fire

The Altifrons Eartheater is one of the most elegant South American cichlids available. A silver to champagne base shimmers with blue and turquoise spotting, while mature males develop warm orange to red highlights along the face, chest, and dorsal fin. As they mature, males often form a noticeable nuchal hump, giving them added presence without aggression.

Native to the Amazon basin, Geophagus altifrons is famous for its natural feeding behavior. True to the name “eartheater,” this species constantly sifts sand through its gills, searching for small invertebrates and food particles. In the aquarium, this creates a dynamic, natural riverbed effect that brings the tank to life.

Growing to 8–10 inches, Altifrons are peaceful for their size and thrive in groups. They establish gentle social hierarchies and display through posture rather than violence, making them ideal for large South American community setups.

Aquarium Setup

• Minimum Tank Size: 125 gallons (180+ gallons recommended for groups)

• Group Size: 4 or more preferred

• Substrate: Fine sand (essential for natural sifting behavior)

• Flow: Moderate

• Décor: Driftwood, smooth rocks, wide open sand areas

• Lighting: Moderate (enhances blue and orange highlights)

• Filtration: Strong biological filtration required

Tank Mates

Best with peaceful to semi-assertive South American species:

• Severums

• Silver Dollars

• Larger tetras

• Peaceful catfish

• Other Geophagus species

Avoid aggressive Central American cichlids and very small fish.

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 76–84°F (24–29°C)

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to medium

• Water Quality: Clean and stable conditions essential

Diet

Omnivorous:

• High-quality cichlid pellets

• Frozen brine shrimp and bloodworms

• Small crustaceans

• Occasional vegetable matter