Geophagus Tapajos Hondae Red Head 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
The Red Head Tapajós is the deeper-coloured form of the Tapajós eartheater, with a fiery red-orange head, iridescent blue-green flank spangles and red-striped fins in mature males. It forages by scooping and sieving sand, a gentle and absorbing behaviour. Native to the Rio Tapajós in Brazil, it suits keepers with a large, sandy soft-water tank for a group.
- Adult Size: Around 18–20 cm (7–8 in); males larger with nuchal hump
- Lifespan: 8–10 years
Origin
- Native to: Rio Tapajós and Rio Arapiuns, Brazil
- Habitat: Sandy margins with leaf litter, rocks and submerged roots
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous; benthic sifter
- Preferred Foods: Fine sinking granules, bloodworm, brine shrimp, mosquito larvae, tubifex, spirulina
- Feeding Habits: Three or four small portions daily; small foods only
Tank Mates
- Best with: Own kind in groups, deep-bodied tetras, angelfish, peaceful Amazon cichlids
- Avoid: Small fish, slow-feeding catfish, aggressive cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Generally peaceful outside breeding
- Territoriality: Loose hierarchy within a group; pairs guard sites
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Challenges: Sensitive to nitrate; needs sand and a large group
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and acidic
- Temperature: 26–30°C (79–86°F)
- pH: 5.0–7.5
- Hardness: 1–10 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 450 litres for a group of six or more
Final Notes
Keep a group of six or more so a natural hierarchy forms and no single fish is bullied. A fine sand bed is essential; gravel blocks feeding and damages gills. It is a biparental mouthbrooder; males grow larger, more colourful and may develop a nuchal hump. Rooted plants will be dug up; use Anubias or Java fern on wood, and keep lighting dim to medium. Frequent water changes keep colours vivid.
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.