Threadfin Eartheater
(Geophagus altifrons)
Classification
Species:
Geophagus altifrons
Genus:
Geophagus - Eartheaters
Family: Cichlidae - Cichlids
Order: Cichliformes - Cichlids
Superclass: Osteichthyes - Bony fishes
General data
Scientific names:
Threadfin Eartheater
Habitat:
Freshwater
Climate:
Tropical
Native:
South America
Introduced:
Asia
Distribution:
Amazon
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 family Cichlidae, 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.