Overview
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Common name: Sveni Eartheater
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: Brazil (Tapajós River basin)
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Size: 15–20 cm (males larger with extended finnage)
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Lifespan: 8–12 years
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Temperament: Peaceful for a cichlid, but territorial when breeding
A striking and relatively calm eartheater cichlid, prized for its metallic colours and graceful behaviour.
Tank Requirements
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Minimum tank size: 250 litres (larger for groups or communities)
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Substrate: Fine sand (essential)
- Natural sifting behaviour (“eartheating”)
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Decor:
- Driftwood and rocks
- Open swimming space
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Plants:
- Can be kept, but choose hardy species (may be disturbed)
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Filtration: Strong, with good turnover
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Flow: Moderate
Water Parameters
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Temperature: 26–30°C
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pH: 5.5–7.0 (prefers slightly acidic)
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Hardness: Soft to moderately soft
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Water quality: Critical
- Sensitive to poor conditions
- Weekly 30–50% water changes recommended
Behaviour & Compatibility
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Social structure:
- Best kept in groups of 5–8 (reduces aggression)
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Tank mates:
- Peaceful to semi-peaceful fish of similar size
- Examples: larger tetras, peaceful cichlids, catfish
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Avoid:
- Aggressive cichlids
- Very small fish (may be eaten)
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Behaviour:
- Constantly sifts sand for food
- Displays mild hierarchy within group
Feeding
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Diet: Omnivorous with a preference for protein
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Recommended foods:
- High-quality sinking pellets
- Frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis)
- Occasional live foods
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Supplement: Vegetable matter (spirulina-based foods)
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Feeding note:
- Feed small portions multiple times daily
Special Care Notes
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Sand substrate is non-negotiable
- Gravel can cause stress and injury
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Water quality sensitivity:
- Prone to illness in poor conditions
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Growth:
- Require consistent feeding and clean water to develop properly
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Colouration:
- Best displayed in dimmer lighting and natural décor
Breeding (Optional Info for Customers)
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Type: Mouthbrooder (typically maternal)
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Spawning behaviour:
- Pair forms within group
- Eggs laid on flat surface, then taken into mouth
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Fry care:
- Female holds fry in mouth for protection
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Tip:
- Provide quiet environment during breeding
Common Customer Mistakes
- Keeping in tanks that are too small
- Using gravel instead of sand
- Pairing with aggressive tank mates
- Underestimating filtration needs
- Overcrowding or keeping singly
Recomendations
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tank size requirements
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fine sand substrate
- powerful filtration systems
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gro up purchases rather than single fish
- appropriate sinking foods and frozen options
- eaceful nature compared to many cichlids
