{"product_id":"surinam-eartheater","title":"Surinam Eartheater","description":"\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003eSurinam Eartheater (\u003cem\u003eGeophagus surinamensis\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eSurinam Eartheater\u003c\/strong\u003e is a magnificent South American cichlid admired for its shimmering iridescent scales, graceful finnage, and fascinating natural behaviour. Famous for constantly sifting mouthfuls of sand through its gills in search of food, this peaceful giant is one of the most rewarding cichlids to keep in a large community aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts body displays beautiful metallic green, blue, and bronze highlights that sparkle under aquarium lighting, often complemented by orange or reddish tones in the fins as the fish matures. Despite its impressive size, the Surinam Eartheater is surprisingly gentle, making it one of the best large cichlids for mixed South American aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the river systems of \u003cstrong\u003eSuriname, French Guiana, Guyana, and northern Brazil\u003c\/strong\u003e, this species inhabits slow-moving rivers, flooded forests, and sandy-bottomed tributaries. Their unique feeding method of taking in sand, extracting tiny invertebrates, and expelling the substrate gives rise to their common name, \"Eartheater.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🌿 Why Choose Surinam Eartheaters?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✨ Beautiful iridescent blue, green, and bronze colouration\u003cbr\u003e🐟 Fascinating natural sand-sifting behaviour\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Excellent centrepiece for large South American aquariums\u003cbr\u003e💚 Surprisingly peaceful for a large cichlid\u003cbr\u003e🧠 Intelligent and active with plenty of personality\u003cbr\u003e💪 Hardy when provided with suitable water conditions\u003cbr\u003e🏡 Ideal for natural biotope aquariums\u003cbr\u003e🏆 One of the most elegant South American cichlids\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e📏 Care Requirements\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🧬 \u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eGeophagus surinamensis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e📛 \u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Surinam Eartheater\u003cbr\u003e🏠 \u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Minimum 450L+ recommended\u003cbr\u003e📏 \u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 20–25cm\u003cbr\u003e🌡️ \u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–28°C\u003cbr\u003e⚗️ \u003cstrong\u003epH Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6.0–7.5\u003cbr\u003e💧 \u003cstrong\u003eWater Hardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soft to moderately hard water (2–12 dGH)\u003cbr\u003e🧘 \u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful, mildly territorial during breeding\u003cbr\u003e🍽️ \u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-quality cichlid pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrimp, krill, insect larvae, earthworms, and vegetable-based foods\u003cbr\u003e👥 \u003cstrong\u003eGroup Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best kept in groups of 5 or more to encourage natural behaviour and reduce aggression\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e🏡 Aquarium Setup\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurinam Eartheaters require spacious aquariums with a soft sandy substrate to allow them to carry out their natural feeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn ideal aquarium should include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🏖️ Fine sand substrate\u003cbr\u003e🪵 Large driftwood branches\u003cbr\u003e🪨 Smooth rocks\u003cbr\u003e🌿 Hardy aquatic plants attached to décor\u003cbr\u003e🌊 Open swimming areas\u003cbr\u003e💧 Powerful filtration with excellent water quality\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine sand substrate is essential, as coarse gravel can damage their mouths and prevent their natural sand-sifting behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause these fish produce a considerable amount of waste, efficient filtration and regular water changes are essential to maintain pristine water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e🐠 Compatibility\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurinam Eartheaters are peaceful enough to be housed with a variety of similarly sized South American species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✅ Severums\u003cbr\u003e✅ Angelfish\u003cbr\u003e✅ Silver Dollars\u003cbr\u003e✅ Larger peaceful Geophagus species\u003cbr\u003e✅ Plecos\u003cbr\u003e✅ Peaceful catfish\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping them with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e❌ Small fish that may be eaten\u003cbr\u003e❌ Aggressive Central American cichlids\u003cbr\u003e❌ Highly territorial large cichlids\u003cbr\u003e❌ Fin-nipping species\u003cbr\u003e❌ Tiny shrimp and invertebrates\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough peaceful, they may intimidate very small fish simply due to their size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e🍽️ Feeding \u0026amp; Behaviour\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurinam Eartheaters are omnivores that naturally feed by sifting sand for small invertebrates and organic matter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir diet should include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e🟤 High-quality cichlid pellets\u003cbr\u003e🩸 Bloodworm\u003cbr\u003e🦐 Brine shrimp\u003cbr\u003e🦐 Krill\u003cbr\u003e🪱 Earthworms\u003cbr\u003e🥬 Spirulina-based foods and vegetables\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed once or twice daily with a varied diet to maintain vibrant colours and good health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatching a group of Eartheaters methodically sift through the sand is one of the most fascinating behaviours in freshwater fishkeeping and is a major reason they are so highly regarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e⚠️ Important Notes\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSurinam Eartheaters should always be kept on \u003cstrong\u003efine sand\u003c\/strong\u003e, as their natural feeding behaviour depends on taking mouthfuls of substrate and filtering it through their gills.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are social fish and generally do best when maintained in groups, where they display more natural behaviour and establish a stable social hierarchy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile they may uproot delicate plants during feeding, hardy species attached to wood or rocks are usually left undisturbed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith excellent care, Surinam Eartheaters can live for \u003cstrong\u003e10–15 years\u003c\/strong\u003e, becoming impressive, intelligent centrepiece fish with calm and engaging personalities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Petra-aqua","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58487727391101,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/4983\/3648\/files\/Gemini_Generated_Image_phv9b4phv9b4phv9.png?v=1785923284","url":"https:\/\/www.snuffleandswim.com\/products\/surinam-eartheater","provider":"Snuffle and Swim","version":"1.0","type":"link"}