Geophagus | |
---|---|
Geophagus altifrons | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Subfamily: | Cichlinae |
Tribe: | Geophagini |
Subtribe: | Geophagina |
Genus: | Geophagus Heckel, 1840 |
Type species | |
Geophagus altifrons Heckel, 1840 |
Geophagus is a genus of cichlids that mainly live in South America as far south as Argentina and Uruguay, but a single species, G. crassilabris is from Panama. [1] [2] They are found in a wide range of freshwater habitats. [3] They are part of a group popularly known as eartheaters and mostly feed by picking up mouthfuls of sediment to sift out food items such as invertebrates, plant material and detritus. [3] The largest species reach up to 28 cm (11 in) in standard length. [3] They are mostly kept in aquariums. [4]
Geophagus surinamensis was an invasive species in Malaysia, recently found in Putrajaya, the populations are now controlled by giant snakeheads.
Some cichlids previously included in this genus have been reallocated to Biotodoma , Gymnogeophagus or Satanoperca . [5] Even with these as separate genera, Geophagus is currently polyphyletic and in need of further taxonomic revision. There are three main groups: [3] [6] [7] [8]
There are currently 32 recognized species in this genus. [1] [10]
Geophagus altifrons are a freshwater eartheater cichlid, native to the Amazon River Basin, Brazil.
Crenicichla is a genus of cichlids native to South America commonly known as the pike cichlids. They are found in most tropical and subtropical freshwater habitats between the Andes and the Atlantic.
Apistogramma is a large genus of freshwater fish in the family Cichlidae native to South America, but also commonly kept in aquariums. They are dwarf cichlids that mostly feed on tiny animals and have breeding behaviors that vary depending on the exact species.
Aequidens is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae found in South America. Formerly a wastebasket genus, as presently defined Aequidens is largely restricted to the Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin and river basins in The Guianas. The only exceptions are A. plagiozonatus which also occurs in the Paraná Basin, and A. tetramerus which also occurs in the Parnaíba River.
Heros is a genus of cichlids native to the Amazon, Orinoco and Essequibo River basins in South America. They were previously included in the genus Cichlasoma before its restriction to the distinct group of "Port Cichlids."
Mikrogeophagus is a genus of cichlids native to the Llanos wetlands and Guaporé–Mamoré river system in tropical South America. They are dwarf cichlids that reach up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in standard length.
Dicrossus is a genus of small cichlid fishes native to rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. These cichlids have several dark spots on the sides of their bodies. Depending on the species, they typically only reach 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) in length.
Heros severus, is a species of tropical freshwater cichlid native to the upper Orinoco and upper Rio Negro basins in South America. It has historically been confused with several other species in the genus, most recently H. liberifer.
Uaru fernandezyepezi is a species of cichlid native to South America where it is found in rivers of the Orinoco basin. This species can reach a length of 24 centimetres (9.4 in) TL. It is also found in the aquarium trade.
Guianacara is a small genus of cichlid fish endemic to freshwater habitats in the Guiana Shield in South America. They mostly live in moderately flowing clear- or blackwater rivers and streams, but also occur in lagoons that are seasonally flooded. They are typically found over bottoms consisting of sandy patches intermixed with large rocks.
Satanoperca is a small genus of cichlids from South America, where they are known from the Orinoco, Essequibo, Nickerie, Amazon and Paraná–Paraguay river basins. They are mainly found in areas with slow-moving waters, but some species have also been recorded from rapids.
Laetacara is a small genus of cichlids native to freshwater habitats in tropical and subtropical South America, ranging from the upper Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Paraná River basin Argentina. The genus is also collectively known as the smiling acaras. Like all cichlids, Laetacara species have well-developed brood care.
Mesonauta, the flag cichlids, is a small genus of cichlids native to the Amazon, Orinoco, Essequibo, Paraná and Paraguay basins in South America. Mesonauta is included in the subfamily Cichlasomatinae. They occur in various freshwater habitats such as streams and lakes, especially in areas with little water movement and aquatic vegetation. They are generally found in small groups that stay near the water surface. To avoid predators, adults may jump out of the water and juveniles mimic leaves.
Apistogramma nijsseni is a species of cichlid fish, endemic to highly restricted local black water habitats in the Quebrada Carahuayte, a small stream in the Ucayali River drainage, southern Peru. The male reaches a maximum length of 8 cm (3 in), the female remaining somewhat smaller. Apistogramma brooding females assume a bright yellow and black aposematic coloring: in A. nijsseni, unusually, a healthy, unstressed female retains this coloring. The species is popular aquarium fish amongst dwarf cichlid hobbyists, though it does not often appear in the general pet fish market.
The pearl cichlid is a species of fish in the cichlid family. It is native to southeastern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and far northeastern Argentina, where it is found in rivers, lakes, and nearby slightly brackish lagoons. It has been introduced to several countries far from its native range, including the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. This species is popular among aquarists.
Ivanacara bimaculata is a species of cichlid endemic to Guyana where it is found in the Potaro and Essequibo rivers. It grows to a length of 4.5 centimetres (1.8 in) SL. This species can also be found in the aquarium trade.
Heroini is a fish tribe from the Cichlasomatinae subfamily in the family Cichlidae (cichlids). All cichlids native to the Greater Antilles, United States, Mexico and northern Central America are members of this tribe. It also includes most cichlid species in southern Central America and several species from South America. A large percentage of its species were formerly placed in the genus Cichlasoma but have since been moved to other genera.
Andinoacara is a genus of fish in the family Cichlidae. The genus was described in 2009. Before this the members of Andinoacara were placed in the "catch-all" genus Aequidens although they are not closely related to the other members of this genus. The genus Andinoacara is restricted to freshwater habitats in northwestern South America and southern Central America. There are no members of the genus in the Amazon Basin.
Mazarunia is a genus of cichlids from the Mazaruni River, a tributary of the Essequibo River in Guyana. They are dwarf cichlids that do not surpass 8.5 cm (3.3 in) in length.
Heros liberifer is a species of tropical cichlid endemic to lentic habitats, especially flooded forests, in the upper and middle Orinoco basin in Venezuela.