Geophagus altifrons

Geophagus altifrons are a freshwater eartheater cichlid, native to the Amazon River Basin, Brazil.

Introduced to Singapore, it thrives in slow-moving streams and reservoirs, where it works as a sand sifter in most environments like most Geophagus species. Its ecological impact on its adopted habitat is still unknown.

A member of the family Cichlidae, it can grow up to 22.5 cm in standard length. It is benthophagous by nature, taking mouthfuls of substrate (hence its common name) and sifting for edible items, with the remaining materials being expelled via the mouth and gill openings. It prefers clear and blackwater environments as opposed to turbid white waters.

Geophagus altifrons are one of the most common species of Geophagus found in the pet trade, often wild caught and falsely labeled as Geophagus surinamensis within the hobby.