Home · Cichlidae · Bigeye eartheater
Bigeye eartheater (Geophagus megasema) — Cichlidae

Bigeye eartheater

Geophagus megasema
Family: Cichlidae

The Bigeye eartheater (Geophagus megasema) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
18.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Bolivia, Brazil

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye eartheater?

Get the app

Description

The Bigeye eartheater is an eartheater cichlid from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a deep, silvery body with glittering spots and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, larvae and detritus. It is a mouth or substrate brooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigeye eartheater?

The Bigeye eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bigeye eartheater live?

The Bigeye eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Bolivia, Brazil

How big does the Bigeye eartheater get?

The Bigeye eartheater grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Bigeye eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigeye eartheater is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye eartheater?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bigeye eartheater is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bigeye eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Geophagus megasema
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Bolivia, Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Geophagus

More from the family Cichlidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bigeye eartheater?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bigeye eartheater is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bigeye eartheater? Get the app