All fish / Cichlidae

Gymnogeophagus mekinos

Gymnogeophagus mekinos

Also known as mekinos eartheater, gymnogeophagus sp. mekinos

This is a small subtropical eartheater cichlid from the Uruguay River system. Males have pale bodies with shiny blue spots, reddish-orange fin markings and a long dorsal fin, and they develop a fatty hump on the head when breeding. Keepers like it for its sand-sifting habits and because it is fairly peaceful, which suits planted or sand-bottomed community tanks with cool to moderate temperatures.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

16 to 26 °C

pH

6.5 to 7.8

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

A pair or a small group with more females than males

Diet

Omnivore: sifts sand for small invertebrates; give quality sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, brine shrymp and daphnia

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Uruguay and southern Brazil (Uruguay River basin, including the Quaraí/Cuareim and Arapey drainages)

Breeding

It is a delayed mouthbrooder. The pair lay eggs on a flat stone or in a shallow pit, and the female takes the eggs or newly hatched larvae into her mouth. Breeding in captivity is quite achievable once fish have been given a cooler winter rest.

Good to know

This species needs a seasonal temperature cycle with cooler winters, so it should not be kept at tropical temperatures all year. Use a fine sand substrate so it can sift without harming its gills.