Ribeira do Iguape basin

Juvenile specimens of this species are readily confused with those of other members of the 'G.' brasiliensis species group, but adults are easily-distinguished by their relatively smaller adult size and comparative lack of reflective blue scales on the body and head. The genus Geophagus was rediagnosed by Kullander (1986) who restricted it to include only those species with paired caudal extensions to the swi...

Known from southern Sao Paulo to northern Santa Catarina states in eastern Brazil, including the rios Jaraguá, Iguaçu, Tejuco, Ribeira de Iguape, Guabiroba, Tibagi, Capivari, Lindo, Itapocu, São Pedro, and upper Rio Paranapanema.

Scleromystax spp. are foraging omnivores, and most will accept sinking dried foods as well as small live and frozen varieties such as chironomid larvae (bloodworm), Tubifex, etc. Feeding a varied diet will ensure the fish are in optimum condition. Under no circumstances should they be expected to survive on 'left-overs' from other inhabitants of the aquarium or relied on to 'clean' the aquarium.