Geophagus is a genus of cichlids that mainly live in South America as far south as Uruguay, but a single species, G. crassilabris is from Panama. The genus is currently polyphyletic and in need of further taxonomic revision. Some geophagine cichlids previously included in this genus have been reallocated to Gymnogeophagus or Satanoperca. Sensu stricto species include the true geophagines of very peaceful disposition usually with long fin extensions like the type species Geophagus altifrons. Sensu lato geophagines include the much more robust and aggressive species of the Geophagus brasiliensis complex.