Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura

Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is native to Uruguay, specifically the Rio Uruguay basin and the eastern coastal drainages of the Río de la Plata estuary. They inhabit a variety of environments, including shallow lakes, floodplain lakes, rivers, and streams, often associated with cobble, sandy, or muddy substrates.

Gymnogeophagus species, also known as eartheaters. Gymno describing the scaleless cheeks these cool water cichlids don’t get relatively large compared to some geophagus species.

Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura typically reaches a size of about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length. Males are usually larger and more colorful compared to females, especially during the breeding season.

They do well in groups and in warmer states they can handle outdoor ponds year round. Here are the general water parameters for these cichlids:

• Temperature: 70-77°F (21-25°C)

• pH: 6.5-7.5

• Hardness: 5-15°H