Geophagus Red Head Tapajos Aggression

[CherryBarb.ie]

I have a single one of these with 4 severums and cherry barbs in a tank. The cichlids are currently 3 inches and all are in a 75 gallon tank. My Geo chases after 2 of the severums relentlessly. I thought they were supposed to only be aggressive towards conspecifics? Has anyone else had experience with them acting like that?

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[Rayzor77]

Nope, never.... Did you try to re-arrange the tank and possible add some cover?

 

[Drstrangelove]

Never kept these.

These fish normally live in groups, and most of the sources I found said as much and suggested groups (4-6) for a tank. Chasing is one sort of hierarchy building in shoals, so the one you have may be doing what his instincts tell him to do to build the shoal. If he was in a group, that's likely one of the things all of them would do until the shoal was formed.

Just a guess to whether it applies to this species as I've no personal experience. Hopefully it's something simpler and someone will provide the correct solution.

 

[Unattended Fish]

I once had a group of 8 and never had a big issue on aggression. If possible try adding another 4-5, plus they do look good in a group.

 

[petspoiler]

it's not normal for them to be loners. he's lookin for love in all the wrong places.

 

[LS2012]

I agree with the replies above. You may want to consider adding more geos, if you have plans for an upgrade as your stock grows. What kind of substrate do you have?

My group of 5 red heads chase each other quite often. However, I wouldn't consider them aggressive at all. There are never injuries, or even split fins. I'd compare their behavior to kids teasing each other. They are best kept in groups of 4-6 or more. The geo's tankmates are pairs of Hypselacara Temporalis, Bujurquina, Australoheros Paraiba and an L240 in a 110g planted tank with driftwood. For a cichlid tank its actually quite peaceful. Their shoal is well formed with a definite hierarchy. Sizes are between 3.5 to 5 or so inches. They really do make a nice looking group.

When theyre not trying to uproot plants, they spend most of the day sifting the substrate (sand and eco-complete). It keeps them VERY occupied

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[LS2012]

Recent video and pics for reference. Hope this helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DomeEWKQvh0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

View attachment 999551



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[Aquanero]

I agree with the above advice these fish live in groups and establish dominance among the group, this fish is displaced by itself. Keeping a singel specimin is not the correct way to keep Taps they need a group to thrive. I have 6 in a 220 living and breeding in perfect harmony.

 

[shawe1]

Although I do completely agree with the above posts, i recently brought two red heads that were randomly in a tank full of small altifrons and they do absolutly fine together as a pair, not a breeding pair and as of yet no aggression at all.

Geophagus and satanoperca, as mentioned above are shoaling species but i seem to have much more luck with keeping a mix of singular species together. Not really the "done" thing but it works for me.

If you cant get hold of some more tapajos, try putting some other similar sized geo's with him.

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[LS2012]

I agree with the above advice these fish live in groups and establish dominance among the group, this fish is displaced by itself. Keeping a singel specimin is not the correct way to keep Taps they need a group to thrive. I have 6 in a 220 living and breeding in perfect harmony.

Your Geos are gorgeous Tom! Great pics & Congrats on the spawn. Its interesting to see the contrast in their coloration with the light substrate in your tank vs. dark in mine. What are you feeding them?

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