My Geophagus growout tank and need help ID pls.

[Crazyfish88]

Hey guys I'm new to the Geophagus species and I picked up 5 x 3.5" Geo Surinamensis, 2 x 6" Satanoperca leucosticta. I was told from my LFS the leu's came in as wildcaught and one is male and other is female. Can anyone confirm on their ID?

Thanks

 

[edburress]

Satanoperca leucosticta and Geophagus altifrons

 

[ewok]

highly recommend you put sand or other substrate... they do so much better with that

 

[JK47]

Ed is 100% right. Get some sand in that tank man. It will look great with that wood and your geos will thank you for it.

EDIT: just saw ewok's response. Agree with him too.

 

[Crazyfish88]

Thanks guys. Ya I will probabely get some substrate soon. Also what's the difference between altifrons and surinamensis? I researched that surs are called pearl earth eaters? My little guys do have a pearl color to their bodies just my camera and light couldn't pick it up. Also they came in as surs at my LFS.

 

[JK47]

The difference between surinamensis and altifrons is the fact the surinamensis is a common default label applied by most LFS likely because the exporter listed it that way on the invoice. Its like importing "automobiles" on a commecial invoice but they may be a Nissan or a Toyota. True surinamensis come from surinam and there are not likely any exports coming out of there any time soon. A pearl eartheater (g. brasilliensis group) is a different fish all together. Don't mix those fish with your current stock.

 

[japes]

If you're looking at photos of both species on Google or a profile website and having trouble telling them apart, the distinguishing difference which Ed has used to identify the fish is the very small lateral/body spot on your species, which is indicative of sub-adult/juvenile G. altifrons.

leucosticta are very hard to sex, I'm lost even with my own personal stock apart from dominant males, but if you had to guess, the larger specimen at the back would be male.

It shouldn't be a case of "probably" getting substrate, it's basically a necessity for Eartheaters and will make them infinitely happier, and more enjoyable to watch as a result.