Altifrons eartheater
Geophagus altifrons
Geophagus altifrons is a large, group-oriented eartheater from the Amazon basin. It takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out food, so a broad aquarium base and soft, fine sand are essential. The species is often confused with other Geophagus forms, especially when juveniles are sold without locality information. This guide concerns confirmed G. altifrons sensu stricto and explains why trade labels alone may not establish identity. It covers the specialist-recommended minimum footprint, water ranges, filtration, feeding and breeding. The reported body measurement is standard length, not total length including the caudal fin. A verified exact-species primary photo is not currently available, so the page uses the site’s reviewed photo placeholder. Tankmates are not added speculatively: each pairing must be assessed for adult size, behaviour, space and social needs. Products are omitted unless an exact suitable catalogue item with an approved current offer is confirmed. Older trade names and photographs may be inaccurate, so verify the fish’s identity before applying this care advice.
Plan your aquarium →At a glance
- Temperature
- 26–32 °C
- pH
- 4.8–6.6
- GH
- 0–5 °dGH
- Aquarium length
- At least 180 cm
- Minimum aquarium volume
- At least 648 L
- Adult size
- Up to 22.5 cm
- Group size
- At least 5 individuals
- Temperament
- Peaceful, Territorial
About this species
Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes treats Geophagus altifrons Heckel, 1840 as valid. The aquarium profile says this is one of the Geophagus most often misidentified. Adults can be distinguished in part by a strongly reduced dark midlateral mark, while juveniles are much harder to identify. Other forms from the Orinoco, Guianas and Tocantins are now separate species. The Tocantins form formerly traded as aff. altifrons is now G. neambi. A retail label saying “altifrons” or “surinamensis” is therefore not conclusive identification.Natural habitat
The type locality is near Manaus in the Amazon basin. The Catalog of Fishes lists the Amazon region of Brazil and Ecuador and an introduced population in Singapore. Seriously Fish names several middle and lower Amazon tributaries, including the Paru, Xingu, Tapajós, Trombetas, Madeira, Negro and Purus. It excludes the Tocantins form because that is now G. neambi. In nature the species occurs along river margins and in floodplain lakes, often over sand, fine gravel or mud, with roots, branches or stones varying by locality.Aquarium and layout
For a group kept long term, Seriously Fish recommends a base of at least 180 × 60 cm, about 648 litres. This is a spacious species aquarium; the same volume in a shorter, taller tank does not replace the necessary floor area. Provide broad open zones of soft, fine sand for sifting. Add secure wood, roots and a few flat stones; avoid coarse gravel and small pebbles. Strong biological filtration plus mechanical filtration for fine suspended particles helps keep water clean. Add fish only to a fully mature aquarium, avoid forceful flow, and follow the profile’s recommendation for weekly water changes of 50–70%.Water conditions
The aquarium profile gives 26–32°C, pH 4.8–6.6 and ideally 0–5°dGH. The pH range describes natural waters; the source notes that captive-bred fish can usually be kept under neutral conditions. Do not assume one target suits wild-caught and captive-bred fish alike. Ask about origin where possible and acclimate gradually. Clean, stable water matters; no reliable KH range was found.Behaviour and group size
Outside breeding, G. altifrons is described as peaceful and social. The specialist recommends buying five to eight fish; smaller groups can leave subordinate individuals under repeated pressure or remain nervous. This is not a stocking plan for a small tank: the same source recommends a base of at least 180 × 60 cm for a group. Breeding pairs may defend a spawning site. Avoid aggressive or territorial bottom-dwellers and species requiring harder water. We do not link named tankmates because broad compatibility guidance and overlapping water values do not prove an individually safe combination.Feeding
This omnivore sifts mouthfuls of substrate for edible particles. The specialist profile reports small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, seeds, plant matter and organic detritus in its natural diet. Offer fine complete foods the fish can swallow readily, varied with small portions of frozen or live bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia or mosquito larvae. Include vegetable-rich dry food such as spirulina. Three or four small portions suit its browsing better than one large meal. No exact central-catalog product was individually approved with a current offer, so no product card is shown.Breeding
This species is an ovophilous, biparental mouthbrooder that first spawns on a surface, then takes the eggs into the mouth, usually with the female holding them initially while the male defends the area. Both parents may participate and may share or exchange brood care, although male involvement varies. Sexes are difficult to distinguish outside spawning; the female’s ovipositor may be visible then. The source advises raising a group of juveniles until a pair forms. Breeding observations are not a fixed timing guarantee.Sources & review
This care guide draws on several specialist sources and was last checked on .
View the sources
- California Academy of Sciences — Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes — Geophagus altifrons
- Seriously Fish — Geophagus altifrons — specialist aquarium profile
- Wikimedia Commons; Emőke Dénes — Geophagus altifrons 3 — Wikimedia Commons
- Wikimedia Commons; DIFish — Altifrons — Wikimedia Commons
- Harvard University; Jacques Burkhardt Scientific Drawings — Geophagus altifrons (Belem, Brazil) — Harvard CURIOSity