Introduce vibrancy to your aquarium with Albino Heckel's Eartheater. These stunning fish offer beauty and personality to aquatic setups.

Overview:

• The Albino Heckel's Eartheater (Geophagus sp. "Albino Heckel") is a striking and vibrant cichlid species prized for its unique appearance and fascinating behavior.
• With its albino coloration and distinctive markings, this fish adds a captivating focal point to any freshwater aquarium.

Water Conditions:

• Temperature: Ideally maintained between 75°F to 82°F (24°C to 28°C).
• pH Levels: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral water with a pH range of 6.5 to 7.5.
• Water Hardness: Moderately hard water conditions with a dGH of 5 to 15.

Tank Mates:

• Peaceful Cichlids: Can coexist with other peaceful cichlid species such as Apistogramma and Rams.
• Community Fish: Suitable tank mates include peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, and peaceful catfish species.
• Avoid Aggressive Species: Avoid housing with aggressive or territorial fish that may bully or harass the Albino Heckel's Eartheater.

Feeding Habit:

• Omnivorous Diet: Albino Heckel's Eartheaters are omnivores and accept a variety of foods including high-quality pellets, flakes, and frozen or live foods.
• Supplemental Feeding: Offer occasional treats such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and chopped vegetables to provide a balanced diet.
• Feed Multiple Times Daily: Offer small portions of food multiple times a day to mimic their natural feeding behavior and prevent overfeeding.

Care:

• Tank Size: Provide a spacious aquarium of at least 50 gallons to accommodate their adult size and allow for natural territorial behavior.
• Substrate: Use fine sand or smooth gravel substrate to mimic their natural habitat and prevent injury to their sensitive barbels.
• Filtration: Employ efficient filtration to maintain water quality, as Albino Heckel's Eartheaters are sensitive to poor water conditions.
• Aquascape: Decorate the aquarium with rocks, driftwood, and plants to create hiding spots and mimic their natural habitat along the riverbanks of South America.

Breeding:

• Pair Formation: Albino Heckel's Eartheaters form monogamous pairs and are substrate spawners.
• Breeding Conditions: Provide a well-conditioned breeding pair with ample hiding spots and slightly warmer water temperatures to induce spawning.
• Egg Care: Both parents will guard and care for the eggs and fry until they are free-swimming.

Challenges:

• Aggression: While generally peaceful, Albino Heckel's Eartheaters may exhibit territorial behavior, especially during breeding or if kept in insufficiently sized tanks.
• Water Quality: Prone to stress and disease in poor water conditions, so regular water changes and maintenance are essential.
• Feeding Competition: Ensure all tank inhabitants receive adequate nutrition by providing varied food options and monitoring feeding behavior.