Earth Eater

About

The Argentine Humphead (Gymnogeophagus balzanii) is one of the more intriguing cichlids from the river systems of the Paraná-Paraguay basin, ranging through parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. Males develop a pronounced cranial hump as they mature, making them easy to distinguish from females and giving the species its common name. Coloration varies somewhat depending on geographic origin, so you may encounter slightly different-looking fish depending on the source. Despite being classified as peaceful in a broad sense, this is not a fish you can drop into a generic community setup. Males are highly intolerant of rival cichlids, and only one male should be kept per tank. A harem arrangement with two to six females works best, distributing the male's persistent spawning attention so no single female bears the brunt of it. Mid- to upper-water shoaling fish from cooler South American drainages, like Buenos Aires tetras, make reasonable tankmates. The species is a delayed maternal mouthbrooder, meaning the female initially allows eggs to develop on a substrate surface before taking the fry into her mouth for further incubation. She handles all parental duties on her own and does so with impressive dedication. This is an intermediate-level species that rewards patient, attentive keepers who are willing to tailor the tank specifically to its needs.