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Edit Geophagus abalios

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Name

Scientific name

Geophagus abalios

Described by

Authority López-Fernández & Taphorn, Year 2004

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 9 credited

Summary

Geophagus abalios is a cichlid from black and clear water tributaries of the río Orinoco in Venezuela, across the Llanos and south to the C…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

200mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 26–32°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Social needs

A shoal or group

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Venezuela, Aguaro, Apure, Capanaparo, Casiquiare, Caura, Cinaruco, Cojedes, Guariquito, Mavaca, Orinoco, Ventuari

Writing

Etymology

Geophagus: from the Greek geo, meaning 'earth', and phagos, meaning ' to eat'. abalios: from the Greek a, meaning 'not, without', and balios, meaning 'spotted'.

Distribution

Type locality is 'Laguna Larga, 6.5339°N, 67.4150°W, Río Cinaruco, Apure, Venezuela' but this species known to have a wider distribution within both black and …

Habitat

The Llanos is a vast, highly biodiverse system of tropical savannah grasslands, seasonally-flooded plains and forests covering an area measuring almost 600,000…

Aquarium size

A tank with a base measuring 180 ∗ 60 cm or more is required to house a group long-term.

Maintenance

The most essential item of décor is a soft, sandy substrate so that the fish can browse naturally (see 'Diet'). Coarser materials such as gravel or small pebbl…

Water conditions

Temperature: Prefers warm conditions within the range 26 – 32 °C. pH: 4.0 – 7.0 Hardness: 1 – 10 dGH

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Diet

Geophagus spp. are benthophagous by nature, employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remaini…

Behaviour and compatibility

Unless breeding this species is surprisingly peaceful and will not predate on fishes larger than a few millimetres in length. Suitable tankmates are far too nu…

Sexual dimorphism

No external differences have been observed except during spawning when the ovipositor of the female is visible.

Reproduction

Substrate-spawning, ovophilous, biparental mouthbrooder that has been bred on numerous occasions in aquaria. There doesn't appear to be any particular trigger …

Notes

This species is one of the more commonly-traded members of the genus though rarely under the correct name and usually misidentified as G. altifrons or G. surin…

References

References

11 on this profile