Gymnogeophagus balzanii care questions

[FishKing5]

I've kept Gymno bazani "Bella Union", and don't think of them as a soft water species.
I kept mine in unheated tanks (room temp) in water between 7.5-7.8, alkalinity of @ 100ppm, nd a general hardness of 250ppm.
I used high altitude Mexican live bearers, and Uruguayan Corydorus erhardti as dithers (because they tolerate the cooler temps used for the Gymnos (68'F to 72, in summer low to mid 60s in winter). My group consisted of 2 males and 4 females.
For a while, other cichlids in the tank were Ciclasome dimmers "Uruguay".

Do you think Hoplarchus psittacus could coexist with the balzanii? Juvie size of both fish

 

[duanes]

As a matter of normal procedure, I do use magnolia, maple, and oak leave in my tanks since the tannins they produce, are naturally anti-bacterial, and did occasionally use cooler rain water as part of my water change routine to help induce spawning, and find females holding after that kind of temp, and water chemistry fluctuation.
I believe that area of S America has different kind of seasonal changes than the tropical north. Although I don't believe balzani can handle as drastic a cool down as the other more southern species of Gymnogeophagus.
My Gymno "yerbalito" easily withstood temps below 50'F in an unheated basement.
I would not keep a tropical species like Hoplarchus with more temperate species like Gymnos,
It may work, but to me they are require very different temperatures.
If I was thinking about another cichlid in the tank, it would be something like Cichlasoma dimmers "Uruguay, or an Australoheris species.

Australoheros "red cabal above, dimmerus

 

[FishKing5]

As a matter of normal procedure, I do use magnolia, maple, and oak leave in my tanks since the tannins they produce, are naturally anti-bacterial, and did occasionally use cooler rain water as part of my water change routine to help induce spawning, and find females holding after that kind of temp, and water chemistry fluctuation.
I believe that area of S America has different kind of seasonal changes than the tropical north. Although I don't believe balzani can handle as drastic a cool down as the other more southern species of Gymnogeophagus.
My Gymno "yerbalito" easily withstood temps below 50'F in an unheated basement.

Great info. I'll look into adjusting the water hardness once they're close to being adults. Do you think a group of 4 sajica could coexist in a 90 gallon with these guys or should I just let them have the tank to themselves

 

[duanes]

Again, sajica are a tropical species from Central America, and I believe long term, need different water temps than balzani, from the south. It could work temporarily or course.
South America is very large and the further south you go, the cooler it gets. Just the opposite of the US, Uruguay temps are more ike Georgia, than Central America.

 

[dogofwar]

No need to add almond leaves or soften the water. They're not Amazonian fish.

I keep mine unheated in my garage fishroom. They are fine down to the mid-50s at least. The group I brought back last trip to Uruguay just spawned at 68F!

 

[FishKing5]

No need to add almond leaves or soften the water. They're not Amazonian fish.

I keep mine unheated in my garage fishroom. They are fine down to the mid-50s at least. The group I brought back last trip to Uruguay just spawned at 68F!

Right on. Is it only necessary to drop the tank temp when they are adults or should I do it throughout their whole life even as juvies. They're just little guys right now. Got them back in early November as little half inch fry but are already twice the size if not more. They're awesome.

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

You can leave the geos by themselves and leave the sajica with your vieja since they are both Central American

 

[FishKing5]

You can leave the geos by themselves and leave the sajica with your vieja since they are both Central American

Haha ya I know they're centrals, was just wondering if they could work together, I'd like to free as much space as I can for the vieja in the 125 and it be only vieja in there and add the sajicas and balzanii together but I'm kind of liking the idea of having just the balzanii in their own tank. It'd be really interesting to watch pairs form and see how they all live together without other fish in there.

 

[FishKing5]

You can leave the geos by themselves and leave the sajica with your vieja since they are both Central American

Any also don't want centrals in a tank where there's going to be cool down periods haha

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Any also don't want centrals in a tank where there's going to be cool down periods haha

The viejas are going to get way bigger but sajica are suppose to be good at holding their own. Being both Central Americans I think as long as there's enough places to hide and plenty of food they have a chance. Plus you said you have a bigger tank to put the viejas in next year so just see how it works out till then
The geos probably do better by themselves or fish that live in same area as them and enjoy same waters