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Winemiller's eartheater (Geophagus winemilleri) — Cichlidae

Winemiller's eartheater

Geophagus winemilleri
Family: Cichlidae

The Winemiller's eartheater (Geophagus winemilleri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Winemiller's eartheater is an eartheater (Cichlidae) from clear and blackwater rivers of the Rio Negro and Orinoco region in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, yellow-brown body with glittering rows of spots and often a dark flank spot. As a bottom-dweller it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, worms and organic matter. It is a mouthbrooder that protects the young in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Winemiller's eartheater?

The Winemiller's eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Winemiller's eartheater live?

The Winemiller's eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Winemiller's eartheater get?

The Winemiller's eartheater grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Winemiller's eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Winemiller's eartheater is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Winemillers aardeter sourced
English name
Winemiller's eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Geophagus winemilleri
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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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