Pantanal eartheater
📖 Overview
Inhabits streams and lagoons with sandy to muddy bottom. Forages by plunging its protrusible mouth into the sandy or muddy bottom, filling it with sediment, and sorting out food inside the mouth. The bulk of the mouthful is expelled through the opercular openings and the mouth, producing a cloud of sediment (substrate sifting). This feeding mode leaves a series of pits and mounds on the bottom. Feeds on insect larvae, crustaceans, plant debris and loose scales . Discourages piranha attacks by watching the predator, a tactic used when 2-5 fish feed in groups and the individuals take turns as the "watchman". Confronts an approaching piranha by charging towards the predator with an open mouth and erect dorsal fin .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Pantanal eartheater is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Pantanal eartheater is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Ovophile mouth brooders.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: ? - 7.0; dH range: ? - 10. Tropical; 24°C - 27°C South America: Amazon River basin, in the Guaporé River in Brazil and Bolivia; Paraná River basin, in the Paraguay River drainage in Brazil and northern Paraguay (to the Aquidabán River).
🌿 Ecology
insect larvae, crustaceans, plant debris and loose scales (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pantanal Eartheater · Paraguay River Eartheater |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | mustajuovatonkija |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Acará · Papaterra |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geophagus pappaterra | Heckel | 1840 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Pantanal eartheater.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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