Whitespot Eartheater Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Whitespot Eartheater is a graceful South American cichlid with a deep, laterally compressed body and a gently sloping head. Its base colour ranges from olive-grey to tan, often with darker markings along the flanks and a series of pale blue or white spots across the cheeks, gill covers and body. The fins may show warm yellow, orange or reddish tones, particularly when the fish is displaying.

Whitespot Eartheaters are native to northern South America, occurring in coastal river systems and tributaries of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and northern Brazil. They inhabit slow-moving waters, forest streams, flooded areas and sandy or muddy margins where they sift through the bottom for food.

A group should have an aquarium of at least 300 litres, with a footprint of about 150 x 50 cm or larger; a longer tank is preferable because these fish spend much of their time exploring the bottom. Use soft, fine-grained sand deep enough for natural sifting, since coarse gravel can damage the mouth and gill tissues. Arrange smooth stones, driftwood and robust plants around the edges while leaving broad open areas for feeding, and provide shaded retreats without restricting swimming space. Strong biological filtration, gentle circulation and clean, well-oxygenated water are important. Keep the temperature around 24–29°C and the pH approximately 5.5–7.5.

Whitespot Eartheaters can reach about 18 cm (7 inches) in total length. Males are usually slightly larger and more robust than females, although size varies with genetics, diet and conditions.

This species is an omnivorous bottom-feeder that naturally sifts mouthfuls of sand through its gills to extract insect larvae, small crustaceans, worms, seeds and other organic material. Offer a varied diet of sinking cichlid pellets or granules supplemented with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, mysis and chopped earthworms. Feed small portions several times a day when possible, especially to growing fish, and avoid relying on floating foods.

Whitespot Eartheaters are generally peaceful for their size and can live with similarly peaceful South American fish such as larger tetras, pencilfish, peaceful barbs, medium-sized Corydoras, peaceful loricariid catfish and other non-aggressive eartheaters. Avoid highly aggressive cichlids, fin-nipping species and boisterous tankmates that constantly compete for food. Very small fish, shrimp and delicate fry may be swallowed if they are encountered while the eartheaters are feeding.

Whitespot Eartheaters are maternal mouthbrooders. A compatible pair usually lays its eggs on a clean stone, piece of wood or another firm surface, after which the female typically takes the eggs or newly hatched larvae into her mouth. Both parents may participate in guarding the spawning site, and the young can be released and retrieved repeatedly until they are independent. Provide excellent water quality, a calm environment and plenty of space for a pair to establish a breeding area.

Males are generally larger, deeper-bodied and may develop more extended dorsal and anal fins, while females are often slightly smaller and rounder through the body. The differences can be subtle outside breeding condition, so sexing young fish reliably is difficult.