Description
🐠 Home-Bred Albino HECKELLII Cichlid
📌 Basic Info
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Scientific Name: Geophagus hegli (Albino Variant)
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Family: Cichlidae
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Origin: South America (aquarium-bred strain)
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Size: 7 – 9 inches (18 – 23 cm)
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Lifespan: 8 – 10 years
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Tank Zone: Bottom to Mid
🌊 Water Parameters
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TDS: 80 – 150 ppm
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pH: 6.0 – 7.2 (slightly acidic to neutral)
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Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)
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Hardness: 3 – 8 dGH
🐟 Characteristics
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Albino body with red/orange highlights on fins and face.
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Earth-eater type cichlid – constantly sifts sand through the mouth.
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Peaceful for its size, best in groups.
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Active digger – needs fine sand to prevent mouth injuries.
🍽️ Food
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Type: Omnivorous
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Diet: Sinking cichlid pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, spirulina flakes, and blanched vegetables.
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Feeding: Twice daily in small amounts.
🛠️ Maintenance
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Tank Size: Minimum 75 gallons (bigger is better).
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Weekly water change: 30–40%.
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Sandy substrate + driftwood + smooth rocks.
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Good filtration is necessary for clean water.
👥 Social Behavior
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Minimum Group Size: 5 or more (kept in groups to reduce aggression).
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Tank Mates: Peaceful South American cichlids (Severum, Angelfish, Uaru), Silver Dollars, Plecos, Corydoras, large Tetras.
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Avoid: Aggressive species (Oscars, Flowerhorns) or very small fish (may be eaten).
✅ Do’s
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Provide fine sand for digging.
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Keep in groups for best behavior.
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Add hiding spaces with rocks and driftwood.
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Maintain stable water parameters.
❌ Don’ts
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Don’t keep in small tanks.
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Don’t mix with aggressive cichlids.
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Don’t use sharp gravel (hurts their mouth).
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Don’t overfeed – they naturally graze.
⭐ Quick Tips
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Albino Hegli Cichlids are eye-catching and peaceful earth-eaters.
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Great choice for South American community aquariums.
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Their glowing albino color makes them a centerpiece fish.
