Geophagus Jurapari 10cm
Overview
| Synonyms | Geophagus jurupari |
| Distribution | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru. |
| Maximum Size | 22cm (8.7") |
| Temperature | 24-28°C |
| Water Parameters | Soft and slightly acidic. pH: 6.0-7.0, dH: up to 12 degrees. |
| Compatibility | Community with no small fish |
| Lighting | Dim-medium |
| Sexual Dimorphism | In mature fish, the males are larger. Female fish in breeding condition will be fuller bodied. |
| Feeding | Flake, granules, cichlid pellets and frozen foods |
Description
Care
The Jurupari Eartheater is widespread throughout much of the Amazon River basin, from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, to the mouth of Amazon River in Amapá, Brazil. It is also known from eastern French Guiana and the Bolivian Amazon drainage (with the exception of the Rio Guaporé). Here, it is found over muddy substrates in quiet waters such as drainage channels, pools, streams, and coastal swamps. The aquarium should be biologically mature and very spacious, with a large expanse of soft sand substrate as these fish like to sift through the substrate in their ongoing search for food items. Provide plenty of hiding places amongst tangles of driftwood and robust planting cultivated on the wood (such as Anubias sp. or Java Fern). Vegetation planted into the substrate is likely to be dug up, so is best avoided. Filtration should be efficient, but water movement fairly gentle, and frequent partial water changes will help keep nitrate to a minimum, particularly important as this species is especially sensitive to deteriorating water conditions. Unless breeding, the Jurupari Eartheater is generally peaceful, and in the wild is found in loose aggregations. In the aquarium, this species is best maintained in groups of 8 or more so that a natural hierarchy can form. This will not only meet their social needs but it will help spread any minor aggression amongst the shoal, so that no one fish bears the continual brunt of any sporadic antagonistic behaviour. Tankmates should be peaceful, occupy the upper levels of the water column, and thrive under the same soft, acidic conditions.
May also be seen on sale as Demon Eartheater or Devilfish. A number of species are traded as Jurupari, including the freckle-faced S. leucosticta.
Feeding
Omnivorous. Requires small aquarium foods compared to its adult size. Try to keep it varied with good quality carnivore and herbivore flakes, small sinking pellets, and a mixture of frozen foods such as white mosquito larvae, bloodworm, black mosquito larvae, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, and daphnia.