Eartheater cichlid | |
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A Geophagus species. Probably Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Orange Head" | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Perciformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Genus: | Geophagus |
Species: | G. altifrons |
Binomial name | |
Geophagus altifrons Heckel, 1840 |
Geophagus altifrons is a freshwater eartheater cichlid fish native to the Amazon River Basin, Brazil.
Introduced to Singapore, it thrives in slow-moving streams and reservoirs. Its ecological impact on its adopted habitat is still unknown.
A member of the Cichlidae family, it can grow up to 22.5 cm (8.9 in) in standard length. It is benthophagous by nature, taking mouthfuls of substrate (hence its common name) and sifting for edible items, with the remaining materials being expelled via the mouth and gill openings. It prefers clear and blackwater environments as opposed to turbid white waters.