Geophagus Pindare
Geofagus pindare lives naturally in the Pindare River in South America, after which the fish is named. The water in the river is very clean and has a brownish colouring due to tannins released during the decomposition of organic matter (leaves and tree snags) at the bottom. These fish are easy to keep, and even beginners will be able to cope with them.
The body of Geophagus sp. Pindare fairly massive. The head is large. The anal and pelvic fins are elongated and the dorsal plumage extends from the head to the root of the tail plumage. The body is coloured bluish-silvery. The body has rows of longitudinal stripes of orange-gray coloration. There is a dark spot in the median part of the body. Sexual differences are not expressed. The maximum size of fish is 14-15 cm.
Geophagus pindare fish are peaceful. Almost all fish with similar requirements can be chosen as neighbours in the community tank. Aggressive or territorial fish, as well as fish that require harder water, should be avoided.
Keep geofagus need a small group of 5-8 fish. Over time, the group will form a hierarchy in which the dominant fish. When kept in smaller numbers, weaker fish may be the object of harassment of the dominant fish.
Water parameters: temperature 26-29° C, hardness dH 1-8°, pH 6,0-7,0. The fish are very sensitive to water quality and should not be introduced in an aquarium in which biological equilibrium has not yet been established. Requires good filtration, aeration and a weekly change of ½ of the aquarium water with fresh.
Coarser substrate like gravel or pebbles may damage the gill filaments of the fish while feeding, as Geofagus pindare feed by sifting through the gills.
Place tree branches, snags and large flat stones at the bottom. Live plants should not be planted in the aquarium.
The lighting is low. Daylight duration is about 10 hours per day.
In nature Geophagus pindare feeds on small aquatic and terrestrial insects, plant seeds, detritus and various organic sediments at the bottom. Under aquarium conditions, the menu consists of frozen and live daphnia, artemia and bloodworms. The fish are also fed with spirulina-containing flake food. The fish are fed 3-4 times a day in small portions.
Reproduction
Under acceptable conditions Geofagus pindare often spawn. A pair of producers chooses a future spawning site, which is usually a smooth surface of a large flat rock.
Once the female has spawned and the eggs have been fertilized by the male, the producers take care of the eggs. The female is in the immediate vicinity of the clutch, while the male guards the distant approaches to it.
The eggs incubate for about 72 hours. As soon as the larvae hatch, the female immediately collects them all into her mouth, where they are completely safe. The fry remain in their mother's mouth until they are fully emerged. At 1-1.5 weeks of age, the fry begin to swim freely under the care of their parents.
The fry are fed at least 4 times a day with artemia and a variety of dry food.
