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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Elongated eartheater

Gymnogeophagus mekinos Malabarba, Malabarba & Reis, 2015
Max Length
10.5 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.3
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Elongated eartheater (Gymnogeophagus mekinos) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cichlidae. It inhabits freshwater waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 10.5 cm. With a trophic level of 3.3, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Scientific Name
Gymnogeophagus mekinos
Authority
Malabarba, Malabarba & Reis, 2015
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
10.5 cm
Trophic Level
3.3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
15.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 8 - 10. This species is distinguished from its congeners, except G. gymnogenys

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Elongated eartheater is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical South America: rio Negro and rio Uruguay.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.3±0.5

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.01995 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
10.5cm
Dorsal Spines
14
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
9

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2023

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
15.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.3
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Malabarba, Malabarba & Reis, 2015

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