Geophagus parnaibae Staeck & Schindler 2006

Distinguished from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: lack of a dark infraorbital stripe or black preopercular markings; a caudal fin with distinct longitudinal bands; only 30 to 31 scales in E1 row; and small size, maximum TL approximately 16 cm (Ref. 57445).

Dorsal spines (total): 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Inhabits bare sandy bottoms in brooks and small rivers with remarkably strong current during the rainy season. Also occurs frequently in pools and ponds with more or less stagnant water during the dry season and the period of low water (Ref. 57445). A specimen measuring 6.5 cm SL has 80% plant matter (mainly seeds), aquatic insect larvae, detritus and sand grains in its stomach and adjacent intestine (Ref. 57445).