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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise credited.
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Eartheater Cichlid (introduced)
   
   

Fig 1


Fig 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Order : Perciformes
Family : CICHLIDAE
Species : Geophagus altifrons
Maximum Length : 23 cm

The Eartheater Cichlid is a native of South America, particularly the Amazon Basin. It has adapted well to being introduced into localised slow-flowing streams and reservoirs in Singapore. 

The species is a mouth-brooder, meaning it protects the young fry in the mouth. The genus name 'Geophagus' means 'eartheater' which refers to its habit of sifting through the substrate as it searched for food.

Its impact on the native ecology is unknown; introduction of non-native species to any water body is not to be encouraged as this can prove disastrous to native fish species which may be out-competed.   


Figs 1 and 2 : Two examples of feral Eartheater Cichlid introduced to one of Singapore's inland reservoirs.


References :