Nuclear-follower feeding association between the pearl cichlid "Geophagus brasiliensis" and the tetra "Deuterodon iguape" in a coastal stream of southeastern Brazil.

Nuclear-follower feeding associations between Geophagus brasiliensis and Deuterodon iguape were described through
underwater observations made at a costal stream of the Atlantic Forest,
southeastern Brazil. Subadults of D. iguape were
recorded feeding on sediment clouds suspended and expelled during the feeding
activity of solitary adults of G.
brasiliensis, under organic substrate, during the day. The feeding
association between G. brasiliensis
and D. iguape represents the third
record of this type of interaction along coastal drainages of South America,
which increases to 13 the number of nuclear species known for freshwater fish
in the continent. The following behaviour is known to provide feeding benefits to
follower and nuclear fishes in marine environments, and the present record
reinforces that species into freshwater habitats are likely to have similar
advantages when taking part in these interactions.