Thick-Lip Eartheater (Geophagus crassilabris) Care Guide
Geophagus crassilabris is a Panamanian eartheater from flowing waters of central and eastern Panama.
Overview
Geophagus crassilabris is a Central American eartheater cichlid native to Panama. FishBase records a maximum standard length of about 24.0 cm. As an eartheater it feeds by sifting substrate, and it is one of the few Geophagus species occurring outside South America.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Subfamily: Geophaginae
- Genus: Geophagus
- Scientific name: Geophagus crassilabris
Habitat
According to FishBase the species occurs on the Pacific and Atlantic slopes of central and eastern Panama. It prefers flowing waterways over substrates of small stones, sand, rocks and leaf debris fallen from the forest canopy.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- pH: 6.5–7.8
- GH: 5–15 °dGH
- Lifespan: 8–12 years
Diet
As a substrate-sifting eartheater, the species is an omnivore that takes up mouthfuls of substrate to extract small invertebrates and organic material. In the aquarium it accepts fine-grade prepared foods alongside small live and frozen items.
Conservation status
The IUCN Red List classifies Geophagus crassilabris as Least Concern (assessed 2 August 2019).