Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura Care Guide
Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is a recently described eartheater cichlid endemic to Uruguay, a substrate brooder of cool subtropical waters.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura is an eartheater cichlid endemic to Uruguay, described in 2016 by Loureiro, Zarucki, Malabarba and González-Bergonzoni. It is distinguished by a dorsal fin marked with diagonal bright blue stripes over a red background, plus round and elliptical spots in the soft section. Like its relatives it tolerates the cooler seasonal water of subtropical South America.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Subfamily: Geophaginae
- Genus: Gymnogeophagus
- Scientific name: Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura
Habitat
FishBase records the species from Uruguay, where it inhabits shallow lakes, floodplain lakes, rivers and streams, mainly associated with cobble, sandy or muddy substrates. It is a freshwater, benthopelagic fish.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 250 L (66 gal)
- Temperature: 17-26 °C (63-79 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.8
- GH: 5-15 °dGH
- Substrate: sand for sifting
- Lifespan: 6-10 years
Diet
FishBase describes an omnivorous diet of zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and periphyton. Feeding declines through autumn and winter as temperatures fall. A varied aquarium diet of granular, flake and frozen foods is appropriate.
Compatibility
A bottom-dwelling, semi-aggressive cichlid that becomes territorial during breeding. It suits robust tankmates of similar size; as a sand-sifter it is unsuited to delicate planted layouts, and very small fish or shrimp may be at risk.
Breeding
According to FishBase the species is a substrate brooder with substantial parental care. The reproductive season runs from November to January, and breeding adults show aggressive territorial behaviour.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021).
Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura Breeding Guide
Overview
Gymnogeophagus terrapurpura was described from the río Uruguay basin in 2016 and is distributed from the rio Arapey in the middle río Uruguay through the lower río Uruguay tributaries and into eastern coastal drainages of the Río de la Plata estuary and Atlantic Ocean in Uruguay. Its original description identifies it as an open substrate-spawner with biparental care, not a mouthbrooder.
Sexing
There is no evident sexual dimorphism apart from slight size differences. During the breeding season males are usually larger than females, by roughly 10 to 50 percent. Reliable visual sexing is therefore best done by comparing mature fish within a group.
Conditioning
A varied diet appropriate to an omnivorous eartheater (zooplankton, macroinvertebrates and periphyton form the natural diet) conditions adults. As with the genus, replicating a seasonal cycle is more important than diet alone for inducing reproductive readiness.
Breeding Setup
- A seasonal cool period followed by warming, in line with the November-to-January reproductive season described for the species.
- Sandy or muddy substrate with cobble and flat surfaces, reflecting its natural habitat of shallow lakes, floodplain lakes, rivers and streams.
- Open flat sites for egg deposition, since the species spawns in the open rather than in caves.
- Sufficient space to allow a territorial pair to defend a brood area.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The species spawns during a reproductive season running from November to January, the southern summer. As an open substrate-spawner, the pair deposits eggs on a prepared surface and both parents care for the clutch, with substantial parental care that includes aggressive territorial behaviour by both males and females during the reproductive season.
Egg & Fry Care
Biparental care is described in the species' scientific description, with both adults defending the territory and brood. Detailed egg counts and incubation timings are not given in the reviewed source.
Common Challenges
The record lists this species as a mouthbrooder, but the original scientific description identifies it as a biparental open substrate-spawner; this guide follows the source. The main practical challenge is providing the seasonal cool-to-warm cycle and adequate space for a territorial pair.