Geophagus Abalios 4cm
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
Geophagus abalios is a large, elegant eartheater with a golden-green body crossed by iridescent blue bars, an orange-red throat and long trailing fin filaments. Like all eartheaters it spends the day sifting mouthfuls of sand for food, which is fascinating to watch. Native to the Orinoco basin of Venezuela and Brazil, it suits intermediate keepers with a roomy, sand-bottomed community tank.
- Adult Size: Around 20 cm (8 in); males larger with longer fins
- Lifespan: 10–12 years
Origin
- Native to: Orinoco basin, Venezuela and Brazil
- Habitat: Lowland floodplain rivers and lagoons over soft sand
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, benthic sifter
- Preferred Foods: Sinking granules, bloodworm, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, spirulina flake, daphnia
- Feeding Habits: Several small sinking portions daily rather than one large feed
Tank Mates
- Best with: Other Geophagus, peaceful larger tetras, Corydoras, plecos, severums
- Avoid: Aggressive Central American cichlids, tiny fish, fin nippers
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Peaceful outside breeding
- Territoriality: Mild; forms a hierarchy in groups of five or more
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Needs warm, very clean water and fine sand; sensitive to nitrate
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
- Temperature: 26–30°C (79–86°F)
- pH: 5.5–7.0
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH
- Flow: Moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for a group; a 180 cm footprint is ideal
Final Notes
Buy a group rather than a pair or single fish; this species is gregarious and a lone individual is often stressed. Fine sand is essential because sharp gravel damages the gills during sifting, and constant digging will uproot delicate plants. It is a substrate-spawning mouthbrooder with both parents guarding the fry. Strong filtration and weekly water changes keep it glowing with colour.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.