Scientific Name: Gymnogeophagus caaguazuensis
Etymology: "Gymno"is the Greek word for "naked", referring to the typical lack of scales on the heads of fishes of the Cichlidae family. Geophagus is derived from the Greek word "Gea" meaning "Earth", and the Greek word "Phagein" meaning "to eat". Caaguazuensis is derived from the province of Caaguazu in Paraguay where this species is endemic.
Synonyms: none
Distribution: Native to the lower Rio Paraguay in Caaguazu province, Paraguay.
Physical Description: This species sports a typical Gymnogeophagus/Geophagus body shape, showing a small nuchal hump with age. See original description below for more a more in-depth description.
Size: 60-85mm.
Water Parameters: pH: 7.0-8.0
Hardness: Low-Moderate
Temperature: 70-74 Degrees. This species will require a wintering period.
Note: In Staecks description of this species. Water samples during the dry season measured a pH of 7.9. During the dry season will be when the ph is highest. The rainy season, most likely time for breeding activity, will likely have a lower pH reading. Thus, a lower pH and softer water should be used for breeding purposes.
Recommended Tank Setup: A pair of this species should be housed in a 20-30 gallon aquarium, furnished with a fine sand substrate and large river stones.
Breeding: Gg. caaguazuensis, like a number of other species in the genus, are delayed maternal mouthbrooders. Meaning they begin breeding similar to a substrate spawning cichlid, by selecting and cleaning a spawning site. Once the eggs are laid, the parents tend to them until just prior to their hatching. At which time the female will pick them up in her mouth and begin the mouthbrooding stage.
Original Description:
Abstract:
Gymnogeophagus caaguazuensis sp. n. is described from the drainage of the upperLink to Full paper:
río Tebicuary-mi in the province of Caaguazú in Paraguay. It can be distinguished from all other described Gymnogeophagus species by the following combination of characters: body deep, caudal peduncle short, caudal fi n of males lyreate, 26–28 scales in a lateral line and small size.
English
French
