Sveni Geophagus
Sveni Geophagus
Sveni Geophagus (Geophagus sveni) is a robust eartheater with a golden body, blue facial stripes, and rows of red spots on the fins. It comes from the Paraná river basin of Brazil and Paraguay and tolerates slightly cooler water than most Geophagus.
Geophagus need a soft, fine sand substrate — gravel damages their gills and prevents natural feeding. They are peaceful, social cichlids that look best in a group of 4–6 in a long tank with open sand, driftwood, and smooth rocks. Because they sift constantly, rooted plants are often uprooted; Anubias, Java fern, and potted plants work best. Most eartheaters are mouthbrooders, with one or both parents carrying the eggs and fry in their mouths and releasing the fry to forage over the sand.
Good tankmates include medium to large peaceful fish such as larger tetras, Corydoras, plecos, Severums, Angelfish, and Discus-tolerant species. Avoid very small fish that may be eaten and aggressive Central American cichlids.
Feeding & Care Tip: Eartheaters feed by taking mouthfuls of sand and filtering out food. Offer small sinking foods such as Hikari Sinking Wafers and a quality sinking pellet, plus Hikari Frozen Bloodworms, Hikari Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp, and Hikari Frozen Daphnia several times a week.
Care & Ideal Parameters
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Temperament | Peaceful (large) |
| Adult Size | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) |
| Group Size | 4–6+ |
| Minimum Tank Size | 75 gallons |
| Ideal Temperature | 74–82°F (23–28°C) |
| Ideal pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Ideal GH | 2–12 dGH |
| Staple Food | Small sinking pellets, Hikari Sinking Wafers |
| Treat / Supplement | Hikari Frozen Bloodworms, Baby Brine Shrimp, Daphnia |
| Lifespan | 8–10+ years |
| Origin | Paraná basin (Brazil & Paraguay) |
| Notes | Fine sand substrate essential. Sifts sand constantly — plant in pots or use epiphytes. Keep in groups. |
