The Geophagus altifrons, also known as Eartheater Cichlid, is a freshwater fish from the Amazon River Basin in Brazil.
This fish has been introduced to Singapore and is found in slow-moving streams and reservoirs. We don’t know how it affects its new environment yet.
Geophagus altifrons belongs to the Cichlidae family and can grow up to 8.9 inches long.
It eats by taking mouthfuls of dirt from the bottom (that’s why it’s called Eartheater) and filtering out food, then spitting out what it doesn’t eat through its mouth and gills.
The Geophagus altifrons likes clear and dark water more than cloudy white water.
Geophagus altifrons is an ovophilic mouthbrooder, which means that after laying eggs, it carries them in its mouth for protection until they hatch.
Geophagus altifrons Interesting Facts
- Geophagus altifrons is native to the Amazon River Basin in Brazil and has been introduced to Singapore.
- These fish eat by taking mouthfuls of dirt from the bottom, filtering out food, and spitting out what they don’t eat through their mouth and gills.
- They prefer clear and dark water over cloudy white water.
- As ovophilic mouthbrooders, they carry eggs in their mouths for protection until they hatch.
Geophagus altifrons Habitat
Origin: Geophagus altifrons comes from the Amazon River basin in Brazil, South America.
Environment: It lives in freshwater and swims near the bottom (benthopelagic) of tropical waters.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Geophagus altifrons Physical Characteristics
Size: 10.4 inches (26.5 centimeters)
Geophagus altifrons can grow up to 10.4 in (26.5 cm) long (total length) and weigh as much as 277 grams.
Geophagus altifrons Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Geophagus |
| Scientific Name: | Geophagus altifrons |
| Also Known As: | Geophagus altifrons |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |