Geophagus crocatus Hauser & López-Fernández, 2013

Family:  Cichlidae (Cichlids), subfamily: Geophaginae
Max. size:  16.61 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 4.1 - 7.1
Distribution:  South America: Berbice River, above and below the rapids at Itabru Falls in Guyana.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 7-8; Vertebrae: 32-33. Differs from Geophagus grammepareius, G. taeniopareius, G. argyrostictus, G. gottwaldi and G. harreri by its incomplete suborbital stripe (vs. complete). Can be further diagnosed from G. abalios, G. brokopondo, G. surinamensis, G megasema, G camopiensis, G. altifrons, G. parnaibae, G. sveni, and G. neambi by having an incomplete suborbital stripe formed by a preopercular black mark (vs. absent). The lateral bar pattern of Geophagus crocatus distinguishes this species from all other congeners. The bar pattern is formed by 6 vertical bars on the flank, with bars 2 and 3 uniquely fused dorsally at the base of the spiny dorsal fin between spines 9 and 10. Distinguished from all members of the G. surinamensis complex with incomplete suborbital markings by the presence of 6 lateral bars (vs. absent in G. proximus and G. brachybranchus, 4 bars in G. winemilleri, and 7 bars in G. dicrozoster (Ref. 95093).
Biology:  Inhabits black water river, running through thick gallery forest. Mostly found abundat in areas of sluggish water with sandy bottoms and relatively little forest cover (Ref. 95093).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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