10 Red Head Tapajos
Geophagus Pyrocephalus
Possibly one of the most beautifully colored Geophagus known in the hobby, the red head Tapajos has certainly made its mark on the hobby. Both males and females show this coloration, but it is more intense in males. Males will also grow elegant streamers on the tips of their fins and dominant males will sometimes grow a nuchal hump. The vibrant orange/red coloration on their heads is the perfect complement to their metallic green and blue colors present across. They have a remarkable/unusual way of breeding. The eggs are laid on a flat rock I use Italian river rocks that are black. After 24 hours, the eggs are covered with sand after another 24 hours the eggs are taken up in the mouths of both the male and female. These fish are delayed mouth brooders and are bi-paternal mouth brooders with both parents holding and caring for the young. After the young hatch, I have seen the parents spit them out on the sand one will watch the larva while the other parent feeds.
After both parents feed the larva are taken up in the mouths again. After about a week they are let out and both parents protect them, if the fry get scared the run into their parent’s mouths.
These fish are about ¾” and are relatively hard to find.
Contact me direct for further information joegarh20@gmail.com
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