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Highforehead eartheater (Geophagus altifrons) — Cichlidae

Highforehead eartheater

Geophagus altifrons
Family: Cichlidae

The Highforehead eartheater (Geophagus altifrons) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
26.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Highforehead eartheater is an eartheater cichlid from fresh water of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a deep, silvery body with glittering spots and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, larvae and detritus. It is a mouth or substrate brooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highforehead eartheater?

The Highforehead eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Highforehead eartheater live?

The Highforehead eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Highforehead eartheater get?

The Highforehead eartheater grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Highforehead eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Highforehead eartheater is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoogvoorhoofd-aardeter sourced
English name
Highforehead eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Geophagus altifrons
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Geophagus

More from the family Cichlidae

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