South American tank

[mvm]

Hi guys
ive just started cycling my tank and want to set up a south american tank with maybe some geos.
My tank is around 200 litres, pic attached.

My question is how many geos could i possibly put into a tank my size and what type of other fish could be included. I want to add a couple of plecos or syno's.

Any comments or critism on tank layout would be good aswell, i attached the java moss with some string so hopefully it will spread out soon.

cheers

[liv2padl]

your tank is 50 gallons and there aren't many Geophagus or Gymnogeophagus that are small enough for a tank of that size. moreover, you've got very little 'cover' in that tank ... you need more 'caves', not just 'pass-throughs'. by the time you add some actual cave structures, you're going to have even less room left for fish. good sand bottom though ... Geo's and Gymno's will appreciate that.

my recommendation would be for a trio of either Gg. rhabdotus or Gg. meridionalis.

I have kept and spawned both and find their care and breeding is identical. For starters, both fish are relatively "dwarf-"like, growing no larger than 4.5 to 5 inches for males, and one-half to two-thirds that for females. Thus, these are reasonable candidates for smaller tanks.

unlike many/most Geo and Gymno's, both Gg. rhabdotus and Gg. meridionalis do better in moderately hard, slightly alkaline water. Additionally, both species are particularly intolerant of lax water maintenance and tend to bloat and die if water quality is neglected for any period of time.

[Peanut_Power]

your tank is 50 gallons and there aren't many Geophagus or Gymnogeophagus that are small enough for a tank of that size.

I agree with you on this point. A 50gal tank is indeed rather small for most adult Geos, let alone puttin in other fish like some sort of pl*co. However, it IS a great size for growing your fish out. From my personal experiences with my Geophagus sp. 'red head tapajos' and Satanoperca jurupari they do better when grown out in smaller tanks. It makes them less skittish, its easier to keep an eye on their progress, and its MUCH easier to keep the water conditions top notch while they are going through their delicate juv. stages. Gradually moving them up to larger tanks as they grow is the best way to go with this. Since they are slow growers, you would be able to get away with a group of them in that size of tank for several months while you save up money to upgrade to a larger tank...;)



moreover, you've got very little 'cover' in that tank ... you need more 'caves', not just 'pass-throughs'. by the time you add some actual cave structures, you're going to have even less room left for fish. good sand bottom though ... Geo's and Gymno's will appreciate that.


I don't agree with you on this aspect though. If anything, he's got tooo much cover in there. Geophagus and Satanoperca are more of open space fish. Its very rare you find them finding confines in caves. They are very active, constantly siftin the sand in search's of food. You do have plenty of areas for them to seek shelter if they do get spooked. I really like the layout of your tank, its very natural looking, and pleasin to the eye. That driftwood as the centerpiece is a very nice touch as well. Once that Java moss starts growin, your tank will be off the hook. Tons of open areas for the Geos, as well as area's for relative shelter. Your on the right path! ;)

[liv2padl]

in my experience, while Geophagus and Satanoperca are more of an open space fish, Gg. rhabdotus or Gg. meridionalis seem to spawn more regularly in caves.

[Peanut_Power]

He should get some Satanoperca acuteniceps or Satanoperca daemon, gorgeous fish with a little bit of a challenge.


If he gets the two species you mentioned then yes he should add some more decorations in there. I'm not sure if its nesseccary but, gymo's generally need a couple of months when their tanks are cooler...any word on this?

[liv2padl]

yes, some do. i've kept balzani for many years and if not provided with about 3 months of 'cooler' temperatures, they seem to slowly fade away. i generally remove the heater from their tank in the winter so the tank temperature drops slowly from 78° most of the year, to ambient which in my fish room is about 65° during january and february.

i'd think Satanoperca daemon would not be a good choice for a beginning south american cichlid keeper. they grow to an average of ten inches in captivity and 50 gallons is in my opinion, too small for a pair of them. moreover, they're prone to neuromast erosion if not maintained with great care and knowledge of their requirements, which include quite soft, mineral free water.

[mvm]

cheers for the comments guys

im going to make a DIY background and incorporate some caves into it and try to keep the swimming space in the tank to a maximum.

i had always planned to get a bigger tank so if i decide to get geos they will be upgraded in the future.

i was thinking of putting some Rainbow fish e.g melanotaenia boesemani
would they get along with most geos?

[the Amazonian]

awesome set-up!

[Rbishop]

I like the wood you have. Be careful on how you stack that rock/stone. Earth movers....sifting....stones shift....crash..hurt fishy....:eek:

[Peanut_Power]

I was kiddin about the daemon, they are a challenge even for even some expert aquarists...;). Gotta start boardingin your horizons somewhere no?

[liv2padl]

as long as one knows how to deal with what's beyond the horizon, broadening it is a good thing ;) sheeesh, how philosophical. i don't know what the heck it means.

[mvm]

Well heres some pics of the geos (2) i ended up getting.
Geophagus Araguari Orange Head
Ive researched a bit about these guys, anyone know any info or links to some info about them?

[liv2padl]

red headed "tapajos".

http://tangledupincichlids.com/images/rhgeo3.jpg

[mvm]

Well Aruagari Orange Head according to the fish store

what makes u so sure its not?

[mvm]

didnt c the pic

heres Araguari Orange Head

[liv2padl]

it's the same fish .. just gave you another name you may find it under and to show you what it 'may' look like as an adult.