Author: Loureiro, Zarucki, Malabarba & González-Bergonzoni, 2016
Comments: This species is found in a large variety of habitats including shallow lakes, floodplain lakes, rivers, and streams, mainly associated with cobble, sandy or muddy substrates. It is an omnivore, feeding on zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and periphyton (to a lesser extent). Feeding activity reduces greatly during autumn and winter when water temperature decreases (behavior reported in a low-impacted lowland stream in Florida Department and in a eutrophic shallow lake of Montevideo). It has been observed to brood on the substrate and exhibits substantial parental care, including aggressive territorial behavior in both males and females during the reproductive season which is from November to January (Ref. 123556).