Smaller Geos Or Gymnogeos

[Verminator89]

Righto, I have a 300L that I'm removing the current inhabitants out of, so I have an empty tank. I would love to keep a group of geophagus in there, however I'm struggling to find even a tiny list of smaller species. Searching online I'm finding it hard to find adult sizes of any species except the bigger 12"+ ones.

Now I'm expecting wills to pop up and reel off a huge list of potentials, but if anyone knows of any please shout them out. I'm also considering cupids so shout them out also. There all worth a look, even if I'm not so keen on them.

Cheers, james

 

[meguro]

some of the guianacara spp. apparently stay small-ish too

 

[kizno1]

Geophagus iporangensis. They only get 4" so you could have a big shoal in a tank that size. They will cost you though because there not to common.

 

[Verminator89]

Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Orange Head" would be my pick of the lot, however i can't find information as to how big they get that comes from somewhere "reliable". I see 5" floating about online, and if this is true then i shall be enquiring for a group of 7 ASAP somewhere. I've heard mention of bigger sizes mentioned also, so i just don't know.

If i can get a dead certain size of the G. Tapajo my decision is made, if not...then the search continues.

 

[Verminator89]

For instance, i have found this link. It comes from a Cichlid forum, so it can't exactly be full of lies. Surely.


Geophagus sp. Tapajo "Orange Head"


Wheres Wills when you need him

 

[star4]

I cant help you there but can understand the frustration when trying to find out the size of a fish I had a quick look and have found sites saying 5" upto 10"

 

[kizno1]

Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Orange Head" would be my pick of the lot, however i can't find information as to how big they get that comes from somewhere "reliable". I see 5" floating about online, and if this is true then i shall be enquiring for a group of 7 ASAP somewhere. I've heard mention of bigger sizes mentioned also, so i just don't know.

If i can get a dead certain size of the G. Tapajo my decision is made, if not...then the search continues.

Females get to about 6" and males to about 8". In a 300l i think you could have 1 male 3 females.

 

[Confish]

im looking at getting some aswell to go with a rottie in my tank but not sure if this would work? i heard 6" but surely that would be ok?

 

[kizno1]

im looking at getting some aswell to go with a rottie in my tank but not sure if this would work? i heard 6" but surely that would be ok?

Dependence how big the tank is. Im getting 6 to go in my 150G with Uaras and a Threadfin acara.

 

[Confish]

its 60g 4 foot long ?

 

[Wills]

The red heads are quite variable in size, I imagine it depends on genetics and quality of upbringing - but 8 inch males are not un common. The size of geophagus is so variable because they have to be properly raised for litterally years, I mean they need a decent sized tank to start with and they also need a good diet and regular water changes.

With the smallest Geophagus species, your best bet is to look for Geophagus sp.Pindare Oddballs Express have them in at the moment and while 6 inches is average size for the red heads 6 inches is the maximum for Pindare. Oddball Express has some in and they would do really well as a large group in a 75g.

As Kizno said the Iporgenisis are good contenders as well, you could also look at the Guianacaras which are a nice fish but equally slow growing as the geophagus if not more so.

Most people say 90g minimum for red heads but to be honest I do not see a problem with keeping a group in a 75g though that is the minumum I would advice to keep them in for life. Make sure you get sub adult specimens though, as they will not fight as dangerously as the adults would in a new environment but they would be of a decent size for you to enjoy rather than having to wait years for your feature fish to grow.

Wills

 

[Verminator89]

Wills, when you say the sp Pindare would do really well as a large group in a 75G do you think i could happily have 7 in a tank this size. 7 being the magic number of Geo's i would like to keep. But we all know what we want, and what we realisticly can house are two different things. I would love to be able to get a group of 7 if possible. I think i've seen some of these in a local(ish) MA to me, so its looking quite viable to get hold of some easily too.

Getting quite excited now, wondering if somewhere will swap me to two big oscars for a group of 7 juvis perhaps (wishfull thinking).

Also, has anyone got a link to oddball express? Every link i find on google says they are changing host, and i can't ever get to their site

 

[Wills]

Unless they are labeled as the Pindare it would be hard to differentiate between them and any other surinimensis type geo. Even if they are labeled as Pindare I would learn what makes them identifiable as Pindare which will be lateral line location and size, eye colour and size and also tail pattern.

7 could be tight but should work if the gender ratio is right, either with 1 male and 6 females or 2 males and 5 females.

If you do want a large group, maybe go for a group of Guianacara Sphenazona?

What about a mix of species - like 4 of the Pindare with 4 Cupid cichlids?

http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail62_165216.php <--- oddballs express

Wills

 

[Verminator89]

I'm a sucker for unity in a tank. If i have tetras, i have to have one type. If i have cichlids, i have to have one type. If i have to have Geos, i'd want one type. I prefere to have more of less, than few of different species.

Never liked the look of cupids, tbh i havnt seen a good enough variety to compare, only the few i've seen, however its an option.

If geos are slow growing also this isnt a problem, as hopefully within the next 12 months i can upgrade to a 6x2x2. I've been given the green light to do so, its just saving up a bit of cash over the coming months to get one And i don't want monster fish in this tank potentially. I'd prefere a large community of mid-size+ fish.

Emailed Oddball Express about adding me to the subscribers lists

 

[Wills]

If a 6x2x2 is a realistic option down the line I would just go for the tapajos and grow them on in the 75g for now - but just anticipate the slow growth rates, most geos would not even register on a half inch per month scale.... I was talking to someone the other day who estimates average growth of most geo species is about 2.5 inches in a year.

So I would get some 3 inch specimens and get them on from there - but I would not get them from home bred stock if possible because its very easy to stunt juvenile geophagus.

Any ideas on what your going to keep with them? I saw an amazing tank with just a group of red heads, lemon tetras and a nice spotty cory species

Wills