Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cichliformes (Cichlids, convict blennies) >
Cichlidae (Cichlids) > Geophaginae
Etymology: Geophagus: Greek, gea = the earth + Greek, phagein = to eat (Ref. 45335).
More on authors: Kullander & Taphorn.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 5.2 - 7.0. Tropical; 25°C - 30°C (Ref. 13614)
South America: Orinoco River basin, in the upper Caura and lower Caroní River basins.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 10.3 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 36377)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Can be distinguished from all other species in the genus by lacking scaly sheath along the dorsal fin base, and from all except Geophagus taeniopareius by retaining a prominent dark stripe from the eye to the corner of the preopercle as adult. Differs from G. Taeniopareius by (1) distinct light spots on the middle and upper part of the caudal fin, (2) lack of horizontal stripes along the sides, (3) wider lips, (4) lack of microbranchiospines and (5) lower meristics: modally D. XV1.11 instead of XVII. 11 , E1 row scales 30 instead of 32, and vertebrae 14+17 instead of 14+18 (Ref. 57764).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kullander, S.O., R. Royero and D.C. Taphorn, 1992. Two new species of Geophagus (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from the Rio Orinoco drainage in Venezuela. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwat. 3(4):359-375. (Ref. 57764)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
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