SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Geophaginae )
Genus Guianacara.
Coloration differences in fish of the genus Guianacara
Guianacara cuyunii Guianacara geayi Guianacara oelemariensis
Guianacara owroewefi Guianacara sphenozona Guianacara stergios
The genus name Guianacara comes from the name of the country where its representatives are mainly found — Guiana, and the second word in Guarani means cichlid — acara. Inhabit Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela, the Sipaliwini River, and the middle part of the Corantijn River system. Medium-sized cichlids, reaching 12-14 cm in length. Sexual dimorphism is not apparent. The main body coloration is silvery, with vertical dark stripes visible on the upper part of the body. In other species, only two stripes are visible on the body (one runs through the middle of the body, the other through the eye).
The temperament is peaceful, no interspecific aggression is shown, while intraspecific aggression is at a high level. Before the first spawning, the fish form pairs that can last for a long time. It is recommended to purchase several young fish (6-10 specimens) and, after pairs are formed, remove the rest from the aquarium. The aquarium should have various shelters (stone structures, driftwood). Spawning can also occur in a general aquarium. They move the substrate, so it should be fine-grained in aquariums.
— Guianacara geayi [Pellegrin, 1902] — Bandit Cichlid. Synonym: Acarichthys, Acara geayi. Venezuela, Brazil, Approuague and Oyapock river basins. 8-10 cm, female is smaller. The male has a humped head. A black stripe runs through the eye. Cream-grey with longitudinal rows of golden dots and two black stripes across the body. In the middle, there is a black elongated vertical spot. The first rays of the dorsal fin are black. Unpaired fins are yellowish.
The fish are relatively peaceful, especially in a large aquarium, keeping to the middle and lower water layers. The fish can be kept in a community aquarium. The number of pairs kept together and their attitude towards fish of other families cannot be predicted in advance; in any case, the younger the fish, the better they get used to other fish. During the spawning period, they defend their territory very aggressively, while at other times they are relatively calm. Rock structures and driftwood are used in aquarium decoration to create caves and hiding places.
They move the substrate, so it should be fine-grained in aquariums. Some species dig into the substrate, uprooting plants in the process. Plants should be planted in pots and surrounded by stones. Pairs form independently from a group of young fish and can last for a long time. Sexual maturity at 10-12 months. Spawning can also occur in a general aquarium. pH 6-7.5; dH 8-15°; 22-25°C.
— Guianacara owroewefi [Kullander & Nijssen, 1989] — Blue Acara. South America, Maroni, Suriname, Saramacca, Coppename river basins. 10-12 cm, female is smaller. Body slightly elongated in length, high, compressed laterally. Dorsal fin is long. A vertical black stripe runs down the center of the body, which is present only in young fish and blurred in adults. The main body coloration of the male is greenish or blue, sometimes greenish-yellow, scales edged with black-green, shimmering silvery. The back is dark brown, belly whitish, sometimes light yellow. There is a dark spot in the middle of the body. When the acara is excited, a longitudinal stripe and several intersecting transverse stripes appear on the body.
The dorsal fin is turquoise at the base, golden in the middle, and the upper part is greenish with a red border. Sometimes one or two black spots are present on the fin. The remaining unpaired fins range from greenish to black-green, covered with shiny light blue and sea-green spots. The male is larger, more intensely colored, anal and dorsal fins are pointed at the end (rounded in the female). Reach sexual maturity by 12 months. Eggs are laid on a flat stone, and both parents care for them. pH 6-7.8; dH 5-12°; T 22-25°C.
— Guianacara sphenozona [Kullander & Nijssen, 1989] — Guianacara. Suriname. 8 cm. Has an oval black spot on and above the upper lateral line.
— Guianacara stergiosi [Lopez, Taphorn & Kullander, 2006] — Guianacara stergiosi. Venezuela. 8 cm. Differs from other species by the presence of a round spot below the upper lateral line.
Gymnogeophagus australis, balzanii, gymnogenys, labiatus, meridionalis, rhabdotus.
Geophagus steindachneri, Geophagus surinamensis, Geophagus sp. “Tapajos”. 
