Edit Geophagus dicrozoster
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Name
Scientific name
Geophagus dicrozoster
Described by
Authority López-Fernández & Taphorn, Year 2004
Family
Cichlidae
Common names
Not recorded
Photograph credits
All 8 credited
Summary
Geophagus dicrozoster is a cichlid from tributaries of the río Orinoco in Venezuela, extending to the Casiquiare and the headwaters of the …
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
202mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 26–30°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
Venezuela, Atabapo, Caroní, Casiquiare, Cataniapo, Caura, Mavaca, Negro, Ocamo, Orinoco, Ventuari
Writing
Etymology
Geophagus: from the Greek geo, meaning 'earth', and phagos, meaning ' to eat'. dicrozoster: from the Greek dikros, meaning 'forked', and zoster, meaning 'belt'…
Distribution
Type locality is 'Laguna Larga, 6.5339°N, 67.4150°W, Río Cinaruco, Apure, Venezuela' and this species has been collected from the various localities in the sta…
Habitat
Apparently restricted to acidic blackwater environments characterised by low mineral content and hasn't been recorded from turbid 'white' waters to date. Subst…
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. pH: 4.0 – 7.0 Hardness: 1 – 10 dGH, ideally <5°.
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 one of the more commonly-traded members of the genus though rarely under the correct name, usually being misidentified as G. altifrons or G. su…
References
References
11 on this profile