Geophagus brasiliensis

Scientific name Geophagus brasiliensis
Descriptor Quoy & Gaimard
Year of description 1824
IUCN category (World) NE
Family Cichlidae
Genus Geophagus
Geophagus brasiliensis Geophagus brasiliensis

Introduction

Geophagus brasiliensis is a fresh water fish from the Amérique du Sud.

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Who is it?

Morphology

  • Average size
    25 cm
  • Maximum size
    28 cm
  • Longevity
    12 year
  • Average size
    25 cm
  • Maximum size
    28 cm
  • Longevity
    12 year

How to recognize Geophagus brasiliensis ?

Geophagus brasiliensis measures between 25 and 28 cm.

Behaviour & Life cycle

  • diet
    omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
  • Sociability
    living as a couple or in a group
  • territorial
    Yes
  • Way of living
    diurnal

Geophagus brasiliensis is a fish living as a couple or in a group naturally found on the bottom. This species is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency . Naturally, it tends to dig into the sand and transform its environment.

Although slightly territorial, Geophagus brasiliensis is a rather peaceful animal that generally behaves in a peaceful manner with other species. It should be noted that it is sometimes less tolerant with its conspecifics. Parades or even small jousts may occur between different members of the group until a hierarchy is established.

Reproduction

  • Reproduction
    ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert

Geophagus brasiliensis is a fish ovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

World : NE

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    21 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6 - 7
  • gh (hardness)
    5 - 15
  • Flow
    Medium, Slow and Stagnant

Biotope presentation

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

  • Min volume
    400 liters
  • Population min
    2
  • Temperature
    21 - 26 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    6.8 - 7.2

Characteristics

  • Difficulty breeding
    easy
  • Robustness
    robust
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Availability
    standard

General reminders

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for Geophagus brasiliensis

Geophagus brasiliensis is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 21 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.

This species is particularly common in the aquarium trade. Animals from long-term breeding are usually acclimatized at a temperature of about 26 °C in neutral water.

Builder fish

This fish has the particularity to dig its territory in the sand. Therefore, it is likely to uproot plants and modify the decor of the aquarium.

Formal incompatibilities

Be careful, Geophagus brasiliensis is incompatible with plants.

Cohabitation & Environment

In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 400 liters.

Fearful by nature, it is advised not to let Geophagus brasiliensis cohabit with large territorial species or with too aggressive fish. It can easily evolve with territorial neighbors with a peaceful temperament or with non-territorial species.

Be careful to plan an adequate space for each territorial species. Each species should have a surface and a decor allowing it to juxtapose its territory with that of its neighbors.

Geophagus brasiliensis is a fish that generally lives in groups outside of the reproduction periods. If you want to reproduce them and have a good chance of forming a couple, it is recommended to keep at least 5 individuals.. In a community aquarium, the chances of survival of the larvae are almost null. After a few spawns, it is preferable to isolate the couple or to separate from the other members of the group.

The hierarchical organization and the aggressiveness between fellow fish can weaken certain individuals, the presence of hiding places becomes then necessary. If you wish to add new members, it is better to introduce younger fish. They will have a better chance of integrating into the new balance.

To best reproduce the biotope of this species, you can cover the bottom of the tank with sand and put a pile of stones to form caves.

Be careful, this species does not appreciate plants and will end up destroying, uprooting or nibbling them. It will not be possible to make an aquarium planted in its presence.

Tips for feeding

Geophagus brasiliensis is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.

You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    moderate
  • egg-laying protection
    Yes

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered moderate. Ideally, it takes place at a temperature of around 25 ° C for a pH of 6.8 .

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.

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To go further

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To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Benoit Chartrer

Benoit Chartrer

Robert Allgayer

Robert Allgayer

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

In collaboration with : Fédération Française Aquariophilie

Bibliographic references

Oportunismo trófico de Geophagus brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) (Osteichthyes, Cichlidae) no reservatório de Capivari, Estado do Paraná, Brasil - Milza Celi Fedatto Abelha - Erivelto Goulart - Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences - 2004.

The tropical South American cichlid, Geophagus brasiliensis in Mediterranean climatic south-western Australia - Stephen J. Beatty - David L. Morgan - James Keleher - Mark G. Allen - Gavin A. Sarre - Reabic - 2013.

Two new species of cichlid fish genus Geophagus Heckel from the Rio Tocantins drainage (Perciformes: Cichlidae - PAULO H. F. LUCINDA - CARLOS A. S. LUCENA - NEWTON C. ASSIS - ZOOTAXA - 2010.

Influence of season and pollution on the antioxidant defenses of the cichlid fish acará (Geophagus brasiliensis) - D. Wilhelm Filho - Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research - 2001.

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