Hello, I've had these Geophagus for awhile now, got them labled as "Geophagus Surinamensis." I have long known that they arent true "Surinamensis" but havnt bothered figuring what exact species they are. Seems like a good time now 
ID on Geophagus Surinamensis
- Thread starter EarthEaterBob
- Start date
They look like what I've bought labeled as surinamensis but have been told are actually altifrons, but then I've seen fairly contradictory photos both labeled altifrons, so take your pick, I guess.
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Geophagus&species=altifrons&id=176
http://www.seriouslyfish.com/profile.php?genus=Geophagus&species=altifrons&id=176
Geophagus altifrons. They lack facial markings, have a spotted caudal fin, and have a lateral spot that is 4 scales or less. Good looking fish and they should get more colorful as they get bigger!
My camera doesn't capture the true beauty of these guys So the blue iridescent patches below the eye do not count as facial markings?
So the blue iridescent patches below the eye do not count as facial markings?
My camera doesn't capture the true beauty of these guys
By facial markings I'm referring to the preopercular mark that some Geos have like winemilleri, dicrozoster and even as apparent as taeniopareius
Ah, I see what you mean, like my juvenile heckelii. Thanks a ton for the ID, I can stop feeling bad for writing "Surinamensis" in comments when they are not.
How do yours behave? I just got mine and have four in a 15 gallon / 57 litre quarantine tank. They fight all the time, don't seem to do each other any harm though.
One cool thing I noticed is that when they're over a dark patch of substrate (I've got some sand I threw in for them and some dark gravel that was already there), the vertical lines down their bodies, which are usually barely perceptible, will get really dark.
One cool thing I noticed is that when they're over a dark patch of substrate (I've got some sand I threw in for them and some dark gravel that was already there), the vertical lines down their bodies, which are usually barely perceptible, will get really dark.
yeah true suris will have a much larger lateral spot, those are good looking geos though and should color up nicely as they get larger 
, I have just gotten into geos within the past couple of months but they are quickly becoming my favorite type of fish, my suris have tons of personality and are not afraid at all, im adding in the other geo i got from petsmart today, so will see how he is taken into the group or not (i think he is altifrons as well but not sure yet he is still tiny, but was also labelled as surinamensis at the store)
, I have just gotten into geos within the past couple of months but they are quickly becoming my favorite type of fish, my suris have tons of personality and are not afraid at all, im adding in the other geo i got from petsmart today, so will see how he is taken into the group or not (i think he is altifrons as well but not sure yet he is still tiny, but was also labelled as surinamensis at the store)