Description

🐠 Sveni Cichlid (Geophagus sveni)

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Geophagus sveni

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: South America (Brazil)

• Size: 6 – 8 inches (15 – 20 cm)

• Lifespan: 8 – 10 years

• Tank Zone: Bottom to Mid

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 80 – 150 ppm

• pH: 6.0 – 7.2 (slightly acidic to neutral)

• Temperature: 24 – 28°C (75 – 82°F)

• Hardness: 3 – 8 dGH

🐟 Characteristics

• Earth-eating cichlid – they sift sand through their mouths while searching for food.

• Peaceful compared to many cichlids, but males can show mild territorial behavior.

• Beautiful shimmering body with red, gold, and blue highlights.

• Active diggers – need sandy substrate to display natural behavior.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Omnivorous

• Diet: Sinking cichlid pellets, bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, spirulina, and blanched vegetables.

• Feeding: 2 small meals daily.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: Minimum 55 gallons (bigger is better, especially in groups).

• Weekly water change: 30–40%.

• Fine sand substrate is a must (prevents mouth damage).

• Add driftwood, smooth rocks, and open swimming space.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Best kept in groups of 5 or more (reduces aggression).

• Tank Mates: Peaceful cichlids (Severums, Angelfish, Uaru), Silver Dollars, Corydoras, Plecos, larger Tetras.

• Avoid: Aggressive cichlids (Oscars, Flowerhorn) and very small fish (may be eaten).

✅ Do’s

• Use sandy bottom for digging.

• Keep in groups for natural behavior.

• Maintain excellent water quality.

• Provide hiding spots with rocks and driftwood.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep with very aggressive fish.

• Don’t add sharp gravel (hurts their mouth).

• Don’t keep in small tanks.

• Don’t overfeed – they are constant sifters.

⭐ Quick Tips

• Great choice for South American community aquariums.

• Colorful, peaceful, and active diggers.

• A perfect centerpiece cichlid for medium to large tanks.