| Diagnosis: |
The lack of head markings distinguishes Geophagus neambi from G. grammepareius, G. taeniopareius, G. harreri, G. argyrostictus, and G. gottwaldi which exhibit a complete infra-orbital stripe, and from G. dicrozoster, G. winemilleri, G. brachybranchus, and G. proximus, which exhibit a black preopercular marking. Preserved specimens of Geophagus neambi can be distinguished from all other Geophagus species without head markings by the possession of eight or nine vertical, parallel bars along the flank, the bar containing mid-lateral spot bifurcate above and below mid-lateral spot (vs. bars absent in G. megasema, G. camopiensis, and G. altifrons; four in G. surinamensis and G. parnaibae, and six in G. abalios and G. brokopondo). Additionally the bar 4 containing the mid-lateral spot (vs. bar 3), followed by bifurcate or almost divided bars (vs. solid bars), and breeding adults with bright orange chest (vs. breeding adults with red
bright orange chest, see López-Fernández & Taphorn, 2004: fig.4) differs G. neambi from G. abalios. From G. brokopondo, G. sveni is further distiguished by the conspicuous bifurcate vertical bars (vs. faint solid bars). Geophagus neambi also differs from the sympatric and syntopic Geophagus sveni by the presence of eight or nine conspicuous bifurcated vertically bars (vs. five solid bars); live specimens with anterior portions anterior portions of horizontal stripes slightly more orange than the posterior portions (vs. anterior portions conspicuous reddish and posterior portions orange) and three iridescent blue vertical spots absent on preopercele (vs. presence of such spots on preopercule) (Ref. 84008). |