Fast facts on Geophagus crassilabris.
by Francesco Zezza
Biotope:
Central America, in particular
central and eastern Panama (both on Pacific and Atlantic sides). It’s said
to prefer moderate to fast flowing waters thriving on a substrate consisting
of small stones, sand, rocks and leaf debris fallen from the forest canopy
above.
Tank:
Grown up (I have six specimens) in a 75 liters tank, they were then moved to
a 500 l unit (shared with a lot of amazon fishes which has posed no
problems till now). They are supposed to attain a maximum total adult length
of 24 cm (male specimens). All I can say is that these fishes gain size and
show colours with a ridiculously and frustrating slow rate …
Water chemistry:
They prefer neutral water (pH 6,5 – 7,0); this helps them to get along well
with amazonians. They are also reported to have troubles when water
temperature reaches 30° C or higher. This has in fact happened in my tank
during the hot days of the Italian summers, without any – at least
noticeable – problems.
Spawning:
The only info I happen to have (and
I am not dead sure about its validity) is the fact that it is a maternal
mouthbrooder. Till now I have no information concerning the duration of the
incubation, the expected number of eggs (per clutch) and so on …
Food:
They seem to feed on almost anything: flakes, pellets of different size,
frozen / fresh food, live food (black mosquito larvae are eagerly accepted).
It’s an easy picker … morsels lost at feeding time are subsequently actively
searched for by shifting the whole tank bottom (a somewhat noisy attitude if
the grains are not tiny). A drawback in keeping this beautiful fish is the
amount of debris they raise while shifting.
Tank Mates:
I have a personal satisfactory experience with: other small cichlids (Pterophyllum
sp., Apistogramma agassizi, Cryptoheros nanoluteus); characins, Corydoras,
Loriicaridis and other catfishes: so far so good!!!
Odd facts:As
far as I know this is the only central American geophagine since all the
other members of the genus live in South America. Finally, I should note
that, to the best of my knowledge - these (six) fishes are the only
specimens present in Italy for the moment. I do hope they will breed (and
the SOONER the BETTER!).
A Final point
worth mentioning is
the book I consider as a
reference source on this matter
which (guess what?) I happen to have!
NOW – as usual – the pics:
