Edit Geophagus brokopondo

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Name

Scientific name

Geophagus brokopondo

Described by

Authority Kullander & Nijssen, Year 1989

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 4 credited

Summary

Geophagus brokopondo is a cichlid endemic to the Suriname River drainage in Suriname, first known only from the Brokopondo Reservoir. It is…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

150mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 150 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 25–33°C, pH 5–7

Hardness

0–5dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Suriname, Suriname

Writing

Etymology

Geophagus: from the Greek geo, meaning 'earth', and phagos, meaning ' to eat'. brokopondo: named for Brokopondo lake, type locality of this species.

Distribution

Endemic to the Suriname River drainage, Suriname. When described it was known only from Brokopondo Reservoir, a large artificial lake in the northwest of the c…

Habitat

Images depict clear, slightly tannin-stained to black water with the fish tending to be collected from gently sloping marginal zones or around islands where su…

Images depict clear, slightly tannin-stained to black water with the fish tending to be collected from gently sloping marginal zones or around islands where substrates consist mostly of fine sand.

An aquatic plant of the pipewort group, Tonina fluviatilis, is common at some localities.

The climate is typically humid and tropical with a well-defined wet season during which water levels in some areas can rise by as much as 5 metres with a corresponding increase in flow.

The fish fauna inhabiting Brokopondo Reservoir is considerably less diverse than that of the river prior to construction of the dam but species still found there include Leporinus fasciatus, L. friderici, Acestrorhynchus falcatus, A. microlepis, Bryconops melanurus, Chalceus macrolepidotus, Charax gibbosus, Hemigrammus boesemani, Moenkhausia grandisquamis, Curimata cyprinoides, Hoplias malabaricus, Hemiodus argenteus, H. unimaculatus, Myloplus rubripinnis, Serrasalmus rhombeus, Sternopygus macrurus, Platydoras costatus, Hypostomus surinamensis, Loricariichthys maculatus, Cichla ocellaris, Cichlasoma bimaculatum, Crenicichla multispinosa, Geophagus surinemensis, Guianacara owroewefi and Krobia guianensis.

Between 2002 and 2005 just 41 species were recorded from the lake compared with 168 from the corresponding section of river before it was dammed.

We've been unable to obtain any definitive data regarding the current situation in the river up or downstream of the reservoir.

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Where does this come from?

My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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DOI

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Year

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with a base measuring 150 ∗ 60 cm or more is recommended 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: This species prefers warm conditions of 25 – 33 °C. pH: PH in the Suriname River has been measured to vary from 5.0 – 7.0 so aim for a value withi…

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 though the ovipositor of the female should be visible during spawning.

Reproduction

All G. surinamensis group members are substrate spawning, biparental mouthbrooders which can be split into two groups based on strategy; immediate (ovophilous)…

Notes

This species is very rarely-traded since collections of fishes for commercial purposes aren't common in Suriname. It's a member of the putative G. surinamensis…

References

12 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References