Fishes of the genus Gymnogeophagus

Gymnogeophagus are the dominant cichlid fish of Uruguay, along with Crenicichla. Below is a photolog of the described species and potential undescribed species of Uruguay.

Gymnogeophagus balzanii "Rio Uruguay"

RHABDOTUS SPECIES GROUP

Described species: G. rhabdotus, found in the west of Uruguay (e.g. Velazquez) and G. meridionalis, found in the Rio Uruguay near Bella Union, and major tributaries (e.g. Rio Cuareim).

Undescribed species: G. ex-meridionalis, found in the south of Uruguay (e.g. Rio Santa Lucia, Arroyo Sarandi) and G. cf. meridionalis, found in the northwest of Uruguay, in headwater streams of Rio Uruguay tributaries (e.g. upper Rio Cuareim, Arroyo de la Invernada). Some will say there are more (e.g. G. sp. "blue neon" which in my opinion are a nice population of G. rhabdotus).

Gymnogeophagus cf. meridionalis "Arroyo de la Invernada"

Gymnogeophagus meridionalis "Rio Uruguay"

Gymnogeophagus meridionalis "Rio Cuareim"
Gymnogeophagus ex-meridionalis "Arroyo Sarandi"
Gymnogeophagus ex-meridionalis "Rio Santa Lucia"
Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus "Arroyo India Muerta"

Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus "Velazquez"

GYMNOGENYS SPECIES GROUP

Described species: G. labiatus, found in the west of Uruguay and G. gymnogenys, found all over of Uruguay).

Undescribed species: There are three forms (in my opinion of course), G. aff. gymnogenys from the Rio Santa Lucia drainage (e.g. Rio Santa Lucia, Aguas Blancas, Arroyo Campanero Grande) which can be identified by the dorsal coloration (anteriorly yellow, red posteriorly) and G. aff. gymnogenys from the northwest of Uruguay (e.g. Rio Cuaro, Tres Cruces, Rio Cuareim, Catalan Grande) which have enlarged lips and shallower head profiles. The third is from the west of Uruguay which have completely red dorsal fins. I think the later are probably the "real" G. gymnogenys. Some will say there are more undescribed spp.

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Arroyo de la Invernada"
Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Rio Cuareim"



Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Rio Santa Lucia"
Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Campanero Chico"
Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Campanero Grande"

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Aquas Blancas"

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Arroyo India Muerta"

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Laguna de Arnaud"

Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "El Tigre"
Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys "Arroyo Valentin"
Gymnogeophagus labiatus "El Tigre"

Gymnogeophagus labiatus "Arroyo las Pavas"

Gymnogeophagus labiatus "Laguna de Arnaud"
Gymnogeophagus tiraparae "Rio Yi"
The only described Uruguayan Gymnogeophagus species not pictured herein is G. australis. 

E.D.B.