Geophagus pyrocephalus
Red Head Tapajos
Red Head Tapajos
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Remarks: Possibly one of the most beautifully colored Geophagus known in the hobby, the red head Tapajos has certainly made its mark on the hobby. It was first collected from the Rio Tapajos by German aquarists Christop Seidel and Rainer Harnoss in the early 1990s after which it became a highly desired import. As it was not described and given a scientific name until 2022, the red head Tapajos was typically imported and referred to as Geophagus sp. ‘Rio Tapajos’ or Geophagus sp. ‘Red Head’. These temporary placeholder names are in reference to the native range of these beautiful eartheaters as well as the bright orange/red heads that mature fish develop. 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 the rest of the body and fins. Juvenile fish will be completely olive green or gray in color.
The native range of the red head Tapajos is exclusively the Rio Tapajos in Brazil. Their habitats are like that of most Geophagus where the water is warm, clean, soft, acidic, full of botanicals, and possess a substrate of soft sand or mud. The substrate is very important for the survival of the red head Tapajos as it is an eartheater meaning its main mode of feeding is taking mouthfuls of sand or mud and sifting it for any edible morsels while expelling anything inedible through their gills. The red head Tapajos thrives best in captivity when all aspects of its natural habitat are replicated, but it requires a soft substrate to survive at all. Being kept on other substrates such as gravel poses a risk to the fish in the form of choking, gill damage, and starvation as some will refuse to feed all together if not kept on soft sand or mud. Their earth eating habits can be of benefit to the home aquarium as they can aid in keeping the substrate clean and prevent ammonia pockets from forming from detritus building up. It can also be a fascinating display of natural behaviors for the aquarist to observe. Feeding them a high-quality omnivorous diet with plenty of variety along with keeping them in the right parameters will help bring out the best colors in the red head Tapajos.
Red head Tapajos are generally peaceful when not spawning. They will ignore fish that are not small enough to be swallowed but can grow shy if kept around overly aggressive or nippy species. They are best kept in groups of five or more especially when young. Gradually they will pair off to spawn which can be easily induced just by proper care. Red head Tapajos will choose a flat surface to lay their eggs which take about two to three days to hatch. Upon hatching, which the adults will sometimes assist with by gently scraping the eggs, the pair will take the newly hatched fry into their mouths until they are free swimming. This process of brood care is called larvophilic mouthbrooding. The red head Tapajos is notably easy to breed and raise compared to other Geophagus so this combined with their beautiful colors, high desirability in the hobby, and manageable size makes them excellent breeding project for both beginners and novices alike.
Animal Data
Animal Data
- Native to: Brazil
- Breeding: Tank-raised by Imperial Tropicals in Imperial Tropicals, USA
- Max adult size: 5-6"
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Care skill: Intermediate
Tank Parameters
Tank Parameters
- Temp range: 70°F - 82°F
- pH range: 5.0 - 7.5
- TDS range: 10 ppm - 175 ppm
- Min Tank Size:
Shipping Info
Shipping Info
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
Why buy from us?
Our Healthy & Happy Arrival guarantee
We've been packing and shipping live fish for over 50 years. When you buy from us, you get the healthiest stock and most experienced live fish shipping in the industry. So you know you won't be disappointed!
Will my fish look like the picture?
The majority of fish on our website will NOT look like their photos upon their unboxing. Fish change in appearance depending on many factors, including mood, age, gender, and social status. Fish will naturally lose color during shipping and may appear faded upon arrival. Pictures are used as examples only. Pictures may be of mature fish with full color or juvenile fish without color. We encourage you to research the species as much as possible prior to ordering in order to familiarize yourself with the various appearances they may take on. Many species have females that look drastically different to their male counterparts, and many juveniles will not have as much color (or different colors) as their adult forms. If you have questions about how the fish will look, please review their information and email us if you have any questions.
How do I know which fish can go together in my tank?
Research the product descriptions on our website and use Google search to help decide which fish can go together. PLEASE do your research and email us if you have any questions. Also, we have a very active Facebook group called Imperial Tropicals Fishkeepers where you can learn from knowledgable and experienced fishkeepers.
How do you ship live fish? Sounds risky!
We've been shipping live fish for over 50 years. we use specialized packaging and techniques to ensure their health. See how we do it.
How much does shipping cost?
We provide premium next day air shipping at affordable flat rates to minimize transit time for the health of the fish.
| US Zone 1 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $39.99 |
| US Zone 2 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $49.99 |
| US Zone 3 | UPS/FedEx Overnight | $59.99 |
| US Zone 4 |
UPS/FedEx Overnight |
$69.99 |
| Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska | UPS/FedEx Overnight 1-2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Canada | UPS/FedEx Overnight -2 Day Air | Starts at $89.99 |
| Florida | UPS/FedEx 1 Day Ground | $19.99 |
| Local pickup | Select at checkout | No charge |
| No overseas shipping | ||
Minimum order for all shipping is $50 for mainland US, $100 elsewhere. Saturday delivery available for an extra $30. Shipping to Alaska and Canada is not flat rate and can be subject to additional fees based on location.
Important order and shipping info
Allow 2-4 business days to process and pack your order. You will receive a notification when it actually ships. Order cancellations are subject to a 10% restocking fee. Order changes cannot be made. However, if you wish to add to your order within 24 hours, you may place a second order with a request to combine the shipments. We will do our best to accommodate, however once an order is packaged and sealed it cannot be reopened.
Your order is covered by our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee.
When will I get my order?
We need 2-4 days to select and pack your fish, you'll get a notification when it ships along with tracking info. It will arrive the next day or day after, depending on your location. See our Shipping Policy for full info.
What if my order is delayed? Will my fish be OK?
We ship hundreds of packages a week, and most are delivered without any issues thanks to our experienced team and premium air courier service. Our high-tech packaging is designed to sustain the animals a minimum of 2-3 days in the box, and in some cases longer, depending on the breed.
However, sometimes delays do occur. If this happens to your order, please document and contact us promptly following our inspection and documentation policies above in order to receive credit.
Can I change or cancel my order after it is placed?
Orders can be changed or cancelled within 24 hours, subject to a 10% restocking fee. Shipping is stressful for the animals and we cannot open boxes once they have been prepped and packed.
Can you hold my order until my tank is ready?
We can hold for a few days, but not beyond a week as inventory changes rapidly. Please only place your order when you know you will be ready to receive them.
What if my order is missing something?
First, please check the box and packaging thoroughly. If you are sure an item is missing please contact us immediately.
Do you offer pickup on local orders?
Yes! Just specify local pickup as your shipping option in checkout and we'll let you know when it is ready.
What if a fish I receive seems dead, sick or doesn't look right?
97% of our orders arrive without an issue. But if something goes wrong, no worries! You're covered under our Healthy & Happy Arrival Guarantee