Geophagus Pindare?

[adzilla88]

Hi folks, haven't posted on here for a while.

Anyway, today I had a ride down to Pier Aquatics in Wigan, which I throughly recommend(it was my first visit).

I ended up walking out with a trio of Geo's which I believe to be the Pindare species. They were in a tank with some aggresive looking fish so their fins are pretty ragged to say the least, I felt a little sorry for them.

Firstly can anyone confirm what species they definitely are, as I'm not a Geo expert? They are housed in a 240l tank with 11 bleeding heart tetra's and 6 julii corys. Could I possibly add a couple more of the Geos or is 3 enough? I have 2 x 1000lph All Pond Solutions externals so filtration is not a problem, I just dont want the tank to look too busy/cramped.

Sorry about the awful picture quality!
Thanks

 

[Wills]

Hi! Excellent choice of fish shop I have quite a lot from there as well Great shop, just be careful you dont come away with a monster.

If Niel had them labeled as Pindare I would not doubt it though The blue looks right on them and the spotty tail look right, but I have no idea what else is right about Pindare... But I would trust Niels judgement when it comes to Geos

Very nice find! Can I ask how much they were? I would probably get an other 2 for that tank, Geos can be a nightmare so groups always help

Wills

 

[adzilla88]

The price seemed steep, but some of my local shops dont offer the variety that Pier Aquatics provided.

They were £22 each but 2 of them were exceeding 3 inches and one just over 2. This seems high but I dont know what a reasonable price would be as I havent really seem any on offer to compare, and I dont really like the idea of purchasing online.

All in all, an expensive yet extremely insightful trip, and I'll definitely be returning. The sheer variety of species they had in stock amazed me, as did some of the large catfish and L Numbers.

As I mentioned early, Im still unsure whether the damaged fins are a result of fighting amongst themselves or the fish they were housed with.

I'll start saving and maybe return soon with a view to buy a couple more. If I can get a pair, then maybe I can make some money back from them? lol

 

[kevinjames]

just up the water changes for a few weeks and their fins will be back to normal in no time. i bought some geo red head tapajos and one of them turned out to be a different geo. i got them when young and they are really difficult to id when young. it seems you bought them from a reputable supplier so you should be fine. lovely fish bro!!!

 

[Wills]

£22 is a good price for them to be fair, a lot of money for the group but totally worth it in the long run. And at half size its an even bigger bargain!

Pier is probably the best shop for American fish in the UK totally unparalleled IMO for rarity and variety.

Wills

 

[adzilla88]

I just went to check on them, and the 2 bigger ones are more like 4.5 inches + so seems the price was pretty reasonable. Fed them some frozen bloodworm this morning and they looked like they enjoyed it.

I currently have some plants in the tank and they haven't bothered with them, despite what I've read. I need to add another bag of sand so I'm toying with the idea of rearranging the decor at the same time, maybe having a large piece of bogwood with some plants coming off it, and some rocks too.

I'll take some better pictures in a few weeks once I've rearranged my tank and let them settle in.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[tenohfive]

I know nothing about the fish (although doing some research, as per my own additions thread) but for price comparisons sake Wildwoods (who are notoriously pricey) have them for sale for £12.95 each at 4-5cm.

http/www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/stores_productsinfo.asp?store=54&prod=2369

 

[adzilla88]

Yeah so considering all of mine are far bigger than 4-6 cm I reckon the price I paid is reasonable.

 

[minnnt]

Isn't it half the fun though when you buy Juvi's and watch them grow? For instant effect a sizeable fish is excellent, but if there is no need to buy a 4" fish why not buy the amount you want at a smaller size? If you do add two more then you may find the 3 are a bit aggressive towards them. I usually do a bit of a rescape when adding new fish to a group.

Just a thought.

 

[adzilla88]

In response to minnnt, ofcourse I would have preferred a group of juvies, but this is the first time I have seen this species in a shop, as I would rather by from them than online. I have no experience of buying online so I'm unsure on which companies are recommended or best avoided. Any ideas???

I understand what your saying and I may consider giving the purchasing online option a go if/when I up the numbers.

Also, I'm planning a change around so if I do get a couple more ill be sure to take on your advice.

Thanks

 

[minnnt]

I don't blame you for jumping on them mate

 

[adzilla88]

Well, after havin them for almost a week, they all seem to be doing alright.

However, the last 3 days the biggest specimen has become pretty aggresive, chasing the other bigger one relentlessly. He doesnt seem to have caused any damage to fins etc as far as I can see. It also chases the smaller one but to a lesser extent, which I'm not really too concerned about due to the nature of Geo's.

I'm toying with the idea of getting a tank divider to let it calm down abit, as the fish thats getting a beating seems to be hiding at the back behind some plants and the filter inlet apart from at feeding time.

I noticed it getting particularly angry for the first time just after I've fed them, but now it just seems to chase it every time it see's it. I don't know if the fish thats getting chased is a male/female so not sure whether the squabbles are over dominance/territory/breeding.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Verminator89]

Common problem with Geo's, they do get very nippy with one another. I had a group of Geophagus Brasiliensis and the biggest two would boss the other 5 around lots, plus squabble an awefull lot between the two of themselves. I have two left now after selling most of the group and they have spent the last 2 months in separate tanks in separate houses. However, they are now together in the same tank once more, and continued EXACTLY where they left off. I havn't ffound a concrete way of stopping them, and would very much like to know if anyone has any suggestions, but as far as i'm aware. This is what Geos are like, and how they will be unless kept in big enough groups. Just my two cents...

 

[adzilla88]

Many thanks

It's nice to know I'm not alone.

 

[Verminator89]

I don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but does anyone else think there might be a slight chance these are Geophagus Abalios, rather than sp Pindare? The more i look at them, the more i think they are not Pindares. The pelvic fins in Pindare are not extended, whereas Abalios' are, and these appear to be extended somewhat, no?