Geophagus winemilleri?

[FishEggs]

Is this a Geophagus winemilleri?

 

[jonclark96]

I am terrible at discerning the differences between the geos.

If you google "geophagus species chart", there is an image that pops up that has sketches that help figure things out. I'd post the link, but my stupid work IT networks blocks it...

 

[dhavalsp]

it seems like surinamensis, mainly because of tail markings - they appear striated

- not an expert

 

[Frank Cowherd]

Are you sure it is not a salt water species based on all the coral in the background? Just saying.

Most geophagus are softer water species.

 

[FishEggs]

After looking at all the different pictures i could find i think it looks like the surinamensis the most.

 

[Frank Cowherd]

So many geophagus look alike.

Some day in the future we will be able to take a q-tip swab of the slime coat on the fish and send it for DNA identification.

So many geophagus look alike. OH, I think I said that.

 

[jonclark96]

Surinamensis are really rare in the hobby. Where did you get it from?

 

[CSnyder00]

Just curious. If those are Geos, wouldn’t they be happier with some substrate to dig through?

 

[FishEggs]

It's a rescue and the only one in the tank but is with 5 tinfoil barbs, 4 dragon blood cichlids, a red shoulder cichlid, 4 mystery peacocks a tiny polypterus probably senegalus, an eel of some kind and a blue lobster. Someone just left the whole setup to die in a tenant space. Power was shut off for i dont know how long and they were evicted.
Right now the tank is undergoing quarantine procedures and bringing the system back up to healthy. There were also other fish in the tank as evident from the leftover skull. As bad as it smelled I'm surprised they look and are doing as well as they are.
Yes the Geo should have some sandy substrate to filter food from not the gravel size crushed coral that was in there and should also be in a group.
I was just in House of Tropicals and they have a group of surinamensis for sale about 1/2~2/3 the size of mine. They look so close. The only difference i could distinguish is the one i have doesnt have any red coloring in his eye. Dont know if that diminishes with age or male female diference or just some don't have it.

 

[FishEggs]

Any Geophagus enthusiasts here?

 

[dhavalsp]

i have a group of Tapajos, 8 fish somewhere between 2-3 " ...I think the red eye color would comeback as the fish settles in, it seems to have been through a lot...

 

[Freakgecko]

Most surinamensis sold in the hobby are not truest surinamensis, as Suriname doesn’t export fish out. They’re labeled this, but are often a different species, such as dicrozoster or winemilleri. With that said, I am TERRIBLE at telling the difference between them lol

 

[neut]

Obviously a Geophagus species, 'suriname type'. All that means or all that 'suranamensis' means as a pet shop label is a catch-all for similar looking geos, can include altifrons and various others, but excludes brasiliensis, Satanoperca, steindachneri, etc. As mentioned, true G. surinamenses are rare in the hobby, rarely available even from specialist importers.

Not winemilleri. Winemilleri have a vertical black mark along the cheek. Possibly abalios.