Please help me ID my geophagus

**fishmommie** · 10-12-2012, 09:12 PM

Hi. I bought this guy(girl?) almost a month ago.
From all I've read it appears to be a geophagus steindachneri as I was told it should not reach over 5 - 6 inches grown out. Right now it's about 2 1/4 - 2 1/2

Can anyone help me ID it? And do you think it's a male or female?

Thanks!

**escamosa** · 10-12-2012, 10:54 PM

I'm no expert on these guys, but it could be a juvenile steindachneri - it does look like one. From what I have seen of them, the barring/striping on their sides can differ from one fry or juvenile to the next. Red Humps are probably the most common kind of Geo that you will find over here, in Australia - not sure about over where you are though. You will find that if it is a Red Hump, and if it's a male, that he will start to get a faint red tinge to his forehead and around his mouth, and that should start to come out fairly early. Also, I'm pretty sure that the males have longer, more pointed or flowing fins.

Sorry I couldn't be more of a help!

**fishmommie** · 10-12-2012, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by escamosa

it could be a juvenile steindachneri ... if it's a male, he will start to get a faint red tinge to his forehead and around his mouth. Also, I'm pretty sure that the males have longer, more pointed or flowing fins.

Hey there. This helps a lot. But because of the fins you think it's a female, not a male right? If so, it's disappointing as I thought I bought a male :o( Oh well. It's still a nice fish. thanks for the feedback. appreciate it

**escamosa** · 10-12-2012, 11:34 PM

I'm not REALLY familiar with these guys, but if I was a betting man, I would say that it does look to be a female, just by the shape of its anal fin. See how it's really rounded in your picture? I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that even as juveniles, the males will have a longer, more pointy shaped anal fin - even if the red on his forehead and mouth isn't showing yet.

I'll see if I can find a couple of pictures to help you out.

Some of these guys can be tough to pick!

**escamosa** · 10-12-2012, 11:43 PM

See the red coming out on this males forehead and mouth?

And the longer, more pointed anal fin.

**fishmommie** · 10-13-2012, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by escamosa

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See the red coming out on this males forehead and mouth? And the longer, more pointed anal fin.

Yes ... unfortunately, I think you're right. I see no pink or red on my geo anywhere :o(. But, she's still a nice fish ... maybe I'll have to get her a mate ... or am I asking for trouble there??