Edit Geophagus proximus

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Name

Scientific name

Geophagus proximus

Described by

Authority Castelnau, Year 1855, Bracketed

Family

Cichlidae

Common names

Not recorded

Photograph credits

All 3 credited

Summary

Geophagus proximus is a large cichlid from the Amazon system in Peru and Brazil, from the río Ucayali along the Solimões-Amazon to the rio …

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

225mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 24–32°C, pH 4–7

Hardness

1–10dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Brazil, Peru, Amazon, Solimões, Trombetas, Ucayali

Writing

Etymology

Geophagus: from the Greek geo, meaning 'earth', and phagos, meaning ' to eat'. proximus: from the Latin proximus, meaning 'nearest, next'.

Distribution

This species is well-dispersed and has been recorded throughout much of the rio Amazonas (Amazon River) system in Peru and Brazil. It was described from ' 'Río…

Habitat

Predominantly found in the lower reaches of rivers and has also been collected from floodplain lakes in várzea regions, plus some permanent black water lakes s…

Aquarium size

An aquarium with a base measuring 180 ∗ 60 cm or more is required.

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: 24 – 32 °C pH: 4.0 – 7.0 Hardness: Ideally 1 – 10 dGH.

Diet

For this reason they're commonly termed 'eartheaters' and the provision of a suitable substrate is essential to their long-term well-being. Once settled they r…

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…

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 numerous to list but include most peaceful species enjoying similar environmental conditions.

Best avoided are aggressive or territorial substrate-dwelling species, or those requiring harder water.

Some aquarists keep Geophagus spp. alongside freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon which in many cases has proven successful but in some has resulted in them disappearing at night (!).

G. proximus is gregarious and tends to exist in loose aggregations unless spawning, with juveniles in particular displaying strong grouping instincts.

A group of 5-8 individuals should be the minimum purchase and these will form a noticeable dominance hierarchy.

When maintained in smaller numbers weaker specimens can become the target of excessive antagonism by dominant individuals or the group may fail to settle and behave nervously.

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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.

Web address

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DOI

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Title

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Authors

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Year

Journal or publisher

Pages

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Anything worth adding

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Sexual dimorphism

Younger specimens are impossible to sex accurately by external means, but mature males tend to be a little larger and have longer finnage than females with dom…

Reproduction

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

Notes

This species is rare in the hobby though it's name is often attached to shipments of other Geophagus species. It's a member of the putative G. surinamensis 'gr…

References

11 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