Geophagus 'neiva'

[roddy]

Local shop has some youngsters of these and have done my homework but there seems to be a fair bit of conflicting info on them, both with regard to actual species and to there behaviour with other species. Anybody out there keeping them and able to say what they are keeping them with and how they get on? Any info would be great.

 

[Wills]

mmmm interesting!!

I've not heard of them before but a quick google shows they are in the Stiendachnary complex - some people are saying they are just a regional variant of Stiendachnary but others are saying its a valid species not many around though so I would be tempted to grab some of these if you can house them.

What kind of tank do you have?

Being from the Stiendachnary group I would look at 1 male with multiple females tank size will determine how many. Male Stiendachnary get to around 7 inches but sometimes bigger. So you want to have around 250 liters as a minimum for say a trio ideally a 75g 300 liter tank would be good for a group.

Wills

 

[roddy]

Very tempted by them and as they would be going in a 60x24x24 was looking at a male with 2/3 females. I am just concerned about aggression to other species as a lot of the reports about the Stiendachnary group suggests they are more aggressive than some of the other geophagus. Any thoughts? They would be only cichlids.

 

[Wills]

Stiendachnary are more aggressive than Surinimensis types but not sure if they are as bad as Braziliensis - a bull male will cause problems but I think if you had a group of a few females you could be onto something. The group will help with it by making a hierachy and hopefully (in theory) keep them distracted away from other fish.

As far as tank mates - dont rule out non cichlids they often help to create a slightly more harmonious tank.

Wills

 

[balajake]

Brasiliensis are aggressive. I had four that had tore each others dorsal fins off on route to the LFs and they were apparently too many in the bag when they came in, I gave them a go and got a good reduction because of the fins. I had them 3 days and they were harrassing my severums. I put them in my other tank for 2 hours while I made arrangements to return them to the LFs and they ripped through 4 of my guppies. These were 7 cm brasiliensis and not for one second did I think they would do that To the fully grown guppies. Silly on my part but I never expected that from geophagus, especially juveniles. Almost put me off geos but I've got some surinimensis that are a joy and very peaceful.

 

[roddy]

Cheers for that, makes me wonder if should wait and see if can find some G surinimensis or tapajos for a more peaceful set up

 

[Wills]

In contrast you do hear of some Braziliensis being okay with other fish but that said Stiendachnary are not as bad as them - males are sometimes a bit bullish but in a group they create a hierachy and dont often look outside the group to other fish.

I have 4 Geophagus Winemilleri - which are from the Surinimensis complex and they act more like a schooling fish than cichlids I have a threadfin acara with them as well who acts as top dog of the group (despite being the smallest) and the Geos sit under him in the tank hierachy while my Sev and Chocolate are jossling for top dog possition. Ultimately the Choc will rule the tank but he is still growing and is currently the same size as my 7 year old Sev and they flare at each other but once he over takes her later this year it should settle down.

Wills

 

[roddy]

Had not seen G Winemilleri before, done a bit of googling and well impressed. Stunning fish and look well chilled from the video clips about them. Get breeding yours and I will be down for some youngsters