Edit Geophagus brachybranchus
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Name
Scientific name
Geophagus brachybranchus
Described by
Authority Kullander & Nijssen, Year 1989
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 3 credited
Summary
Geophagus brachybranchus is a cichlid from the Nickerie and Courantyne drainages of Suriname, also reported from Guyana and Venezuela. Gene…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
200mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 26–30°C, pH 5–7
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
Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Courantyne, Cuyuni, Demerara, Nickerie
Writing
Etymology
Geophagus: from the Greek geo, meaning 'earth', and phagos, meaning ' to eat'. brachybranchus: from the Greek brachys, meaning 'short', and branchia, meaning '…
Distribution
Type locality is 'above Blanche Marie Valen, Nickerie District, Suriname' in the Nickerie river drainage, northwestern Suriname It's also known from the Couran…
Habitat
Suriname has a tropical climate with well-defined annual weather patterns, year-round high temperatures and two distinct wet seasons; the first, more minor, be…
Aquarium size
An aquarium 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 – 30 °C. Air temperatures in Suriname are near constant year-round with an annual average of 80.6°F/27…
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, larvophilous, biparental mouthbrooder that has been bred in aquaria. There doesn't appear to be any particular trigger for the spawning pro…
Notes
This species is generally rare in the aquarium hobby though oddly appears to be one of the commoner species in Australia where it's often referred to by the ve…
References
References
11 on this profile