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
Social needs
A shoal or group
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…
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
References
11 on this profile