What kind of geophagus is this?

[FluffySackson]

I've owned this guy along with 2 others in my 60 gallon growout tank for 2 months now. The LFS simply labled them as "earth eater" and judging by its spot, I'm guessing it's abalios.



Pictures:

 

[FluffySackson]

bump, anyone?

 

[bbortko]

Altifrons.

 

[Rayshot1]

I Say its surimenises

 

[Miguel Monteiro]

Is a Geophagus abalios

 

[FluffySackson]

I Say its surimenises

Unlikely, true surinamensis are quite rare.

 

[ryansmith83]

The diagnostic info on G. abalios fits but the midlateral spot is on the small side with your fish, so my first thought was G. altifrons. But I'm honestly not sure. Here's what it says about abalios:

Body color is greenish-gray, breeding specimens more metallic green. Head without markings except for iridescent blue on upper lip, continued as a stripe which extends to the corner of the preopercle. Flanks with six dorso-ventrally directed yellowish-gray bars, fading or disappearing ventrally. The sixth bar extends to the base of the caudal fin. A black spot on the middle of the flanks coincides with bar 3. Dorsal and anal fins reddish with faint iridescent blue blue horizontal banding that turns brighter during breeding. Caudal brownish red with iridescent blue spots and bands in no clear pattern.

Your fish matches that description. However, there are several 'altifrons' variants and they're all different. It's a very confusing genus. Check out this thread, particularly the pictures posted by Jeff Rapps: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...rence-between-winemilleri-altifron-and-abalio