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Geay's cichlid (Guianacara geayi) — Cichlidae

Geay's cichlid

Guianacara geayi
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Geay's cichlid (Guianacara geayi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Northern South America, in quiet inland creeks; sometimes in counter-currents at cascades.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Guianacara geayi is a cichlid of northern South America. The species reaches about 12 cm and has a stocky, silvery-grey body with an oblique dark eye-band and a conspicuous dark blotch on the flank. It prefers calm inland creeks, where it can be very abundant, and sometimes occurs in the back currents of cascades, together with other bottom fishes. Its diet consists of small invertebrates, algae and detritus. As a substrate spawner the species tends its brood and defends a territory. It is harmless to humans and popular in the aquarium hobby.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Geay's cichlid?

The Geay's cichlid has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Dark eye band and flank blotch; substrate brooder of quiet forest streams.

Where does the Geay's cichlid live?

The Geay's cichlid lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northern South America, in quiet inland creeks; sometimes in counter-currents at cascades.

How big does the Geay's cichlid get?

The Geay's cichlid grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Geay's cichlid dangerous to humans?

No, the Geay's cichlid is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Geay's cichlid edible?

The Geay's cichlid is not usually eaten.

More photos

Geay's cichlid (Guianacara geayi) — Cichlidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Geay's cichlid (Guianacara geayi) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Julien Renoult (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Geay's cichlid sourced
Scientific name
Guianacara geayi
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Northern South America, in quiet inland creeks; sometimes in counter-currents at cascades. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Dark eye band and flank blotch; substrate brooder of quiet forest streams. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Guianacara

More from the family Cichlidae

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