Cupid Cichlid?

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TrophJunkie

Gambusia
MFK Member
Feb 27, 2014
9
5
18
United States
Hello everyone. I've had fish for most of my life but I want to delve into something I'm not used to. I've had nono fish for the last twenty years or so. I also bred some Trophus and other Africans for a while. I have a 40-breeder sitting empty with everything I need to get it going. I would like to do larger fish in it. I was hoping to do Cupid cichlids in it. Again I'm totally new to this type of fish so please steer me in the right direction. Is this a good choice for this tank? If so how many? If not what would be? I chose this fish as I love Geophagus and have wanted to try them for years and thought this would be a good choice size-wise and temperament. Thank you for any help.
 
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That is a reasonable tank size for a pair or trio of Biotodoma cupido, being related to the Geophagines, a substrate of sand (as opposed to aquarium gravel) would helpful.
They prefer slightly acidic, soft water conditions, ph 5 to 7, and the seasonal addition of leaf litter to provide some tannins would help.
In nature, seasonal tea tinted black water is common.

IMG_6551.jpeg
 
That is a reasonable tank size for a pair or trio of Biotodoma cupido, being related to the Geophagines, a substrate of sand (as opposed to aquarium gravel) would helpful.
They prefer slightly acidic, soft water conditions, ph 5 to 7, and the seasonal addition of leaf litter to provide some tannins would help.
In nature, seasonal tea tinted black water is common.

View attachment 1505915
Thank you for the reply. should I start out with say a six till they are sexable or are they easily dun at a young age?
 
I just saw cupido on Wet Spots web site.
And availability of any cichlid is often by geography, whose breeding X where.
It may be due to what the local tap water is about.
As far as geophagines, some of the smaller Gynogeophagus don't require large tanks, but are also, "not" widely available.
1667172429197.png
Gymno , quilero (above) AKA rio yerbalito
Gymno sp Paso Pache below
1667172540111.png
Neither of the above get large, and do well at room temp (no need for heaters) being from temperate areas in southern S American
Mine took water temps down to 50'F.
I pulled the one below from a pond in WI in October
1667172728447.png
They also did well, in my high pH tap water.
 
I just saw cupido on Wet Spots web site.
And availability of any cichlid is often by geography, whose breeding X where.
It may be due to what the local tap water is about.
As far as geophagines, some of the smaller Gynogeophagus don't require large tanks, but are also, "not" widely available.
View attachment 1505932
Gymno , quilero (above) AKA rio yerbalito
Gymno sp Paso Pache below
View attachment 1505933
Neither of the above get large, and do well at room temp (no need for heaters) being from temperate areas in southern S American
Mine took water temps down to 50'F.
I pulled the one below from a pond in WI in October
View attachment 1505934
They also did well, in my high pH tap water.
Gorgeous fish. When you add them to your cart they are out of stock. I have loved Geos for years just never took the leap. I have a few really nice LFS near me but all they ever have are large species.
 
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