Geo's in a 55G?

[zachjohnson65]

I just watch a videos of Geo's and i think i'm in love.
Are there any species of Geo's that could live in a 55G? I would need ones that love to pick and spit through the substrate. (wife's request) I have hard water and a PH of 8.3 Thanks

[Lupin]

Geophagus brasiliensis?

[wataugachicken]

nah, they reach about a foot for males, females a little smaller. you might try rams. the water is a little hard, but if you can find locally bred ones (not imported) then you might make it work.

[Sploke]

Rams are Microgeophagus but in my experience, don't behave the same way as the larger Geophagus spp.. If its the sand-sifting and digging behavior you are after, most of the commonly available species get 10-12". There was a new species featured in TFH a few months ago, Geophagus parnaibae that looks to stay closer to 3-4" but I have no idea about its availability. Satanoperca jurupari stays closer to 10" so a pair might be suitable for a 55. Just make sure you acclimate them slowly as they are generally thought of as softwater fish. They can adapt to a higher KH but I would drip acclimate them for an hour or so, depending on the source (LFS) water parameters.

[zachjohnson65]

i really like the sand sifting action. Anyone else have any suggustions?

[scott-kim]

I have always liked Acarichthys heckelli myself.

[zachjohnson65]

Do Geo's always search the substrate? i have read they are skiddish.

[tabendall]

My favorite is the Acarichthys Heckelli too! I also like my Geophagus Surinamensis but the heckelli has a great personality. He is always the first of my fish to come to the front of the tank when I approach. You can't beat them for looks either - an absolutely gorgeous fish!

[zachjohnson65]

Do Acarichthys Heckelli sift sand?
Still searching for other options of, gymno,geo,sataoperca that stay smaller 5-8" and sift sand.

[zachjohnson65]

I might look into Geophagus Pellegrini from Pet Solutions.com if is becomes instock.

[Ruben Tolon]

a trio (1m 2 f) of red hump eartheaters (steiney's) would be great, and they do a lot of "earth eating". One of the more aggressive geos though

[zachjohnson65]

aggressive toward themselves or others fish in tank. i was thinking either my rainbow cichlids or bosemani.

[AfroCichlid]

There are quite a few Geophagine sp. that remain relatively small: http://www.amazoncichlids.com/Pages/GeophagusSpecies.html
" Geophagus " Brasiliensis is being reclassified and is not a true eartheater. 8" is closer to an average adult size for males.
The Tapajos varieties are my favorite. Be aware that most of these fish take their jobs very seriously and will dig around anything you plan on keeping in the tank. I keep Brasiliensis and they're not too bad about digging, but plants and anything else you plan on keeping in their substrate won't be staying there very long.

[zachjohnson65]

I knew i had some options, Thank you SOOO Much. Geophagus Rio Pinare may be what i'm looking for. Are you familiar with the Yellow Head sp?

[wataugachicken]

" Geophagus " Brasiliensis is being reclassified and is not a true eartheater. 8" is closer to an average adult size for males.


lol, scientifically that may be true, but since i got my Brasiliensis and he settled into the tank, i haven't seen him go more than 30 seconds without sifting a mouthful of sand.

[AfroCichlid]

Mine used to do a lot more sifting, but I think they've gotten used to getting their food in the water column. They definitely dig though, pit after pit after pit.

[67chevelle]

google spenjack@gmail.com
I recently heard Spencer Jack speak of his collecting trips for Geos.He can get you some wild caught ones,any species you want,or give you info on how to go and collect some yourself.

[L.BelcherII]

I knew i had some options, Thank you SOOO Much. Geophagus Rio Pinare may be what i'm looking for. Are you familiar with the Yellow Head sp?

Jeff Rapps is currently selling them at about 1.5"

http://www.tangledupincichlids.com/stock.html

[wataugachicken]

I will second asking spencer jack. i was looking at an aquabid auction a couple weeks ago, trying to get info on "gymnogeophagus blue neon valentine". i couldn't find any info from googling, except that spencer jack's website kept coming up repeatedly. well, i finally just asked the seller the basic questions: does it have any other names (because i can't find much info with the listed name), how big does it get, what type of water chemistry/temp does it need, what does it eat, are they peaceful, aggressive, or territorial, do they breed easily or do they need specific condition, etc.". well, the SELLER, even though i told him that i was having trouble finding anything out about the fish through internet searches, told me to go join a cichlid forum and ask them there. right, so. . . you can't even tell me what you are feeding the fish you are selling right now? wtf? so i asked spencer jack through is website and he very quickly responded and gave me a ton of great info. in fact, he's the guy who caught and imported the fish in the first place.

and it turns out, if you can get your hands on a few of this type of fish, they only reach a max of 5 inches.

and on a side note, the seller on aquabid was prontodelivery. good prices, but seriously, if he can't be bothered to answer a few simple questions for a potential buyer several days before the auction ends, it makes me very uncomfortable to think of dealing with him if actual problems arise. so now you know.