Some updates, They're sifting, eating, and movin' the entire tank. They go very well in this set up.
Geo Balzani from Rapps on the way....post your Balzani pics!!!!
- Thread starter we4wieners
- Start date
Very nice congratulations. They appear to be exactly as advertised, no question Jeff hooked you up. Good luck with them.
Use some NLS .5mm Thera +A they'll sift the sand and suck up the little pellets. When they get older/bigger move up to 1mm.
Use some NLS .5mm Thera +A they'll sift the sand and suck up the little pellets. When they get older/bigger move up to 1mm.
Thanks because they are eating everything. But I wanted to seed the sand with something so they wouldn't be sifting for nothing. OK, so drop the smallest pellets so they get into the sand. Will do. Do they eat any vegetables...blanced peas, cucumbers? Do I need to be concerned with phosphates if I am dropping smaller pellets in case thaey dont get eaten?
Very nice. Congrats!
I've had the Uruguay ones twice. The first time I got the actual pair Ed pictured (post #11) but unfortunately lost them soon after. The second time was last year when I bough a group Ken Davis and others collected (post #15) and was able to breed them.
Male and female from the second group:
I also kept and bred the Paraguay/Argentina race a few years ago. As Matt mentioned, they looked quite different. Not just the color, but they also seemed smaller and more elongated compared to the Uruguay ones. The shape of the hump on their head looks different too, although I'm not sure if it's representative.
I've had the Uruguay ones twice. The first time I got the actual pair Ed pictured (post #11) but unfortunately lost them soon after. The second time was last year when I bough a group Ken Davis and others collected (post #15) and was able to breed them.
Male and female from the second group:
I also kept and bred the Paraguay/Argentina race a few years ago. As Matt mentioned, they looked quite different. Not just the color, but they also seemed smaller and more elongated compared to the Uruguay ones. The shape of the hump on their head looks different too, although I'm not sure if it's representative.
Thanks, definitely psyched about them. I may wind up getting some other species later, possibly r. tapajos. They have an extremely cool mannerism around the tank. Do you suggest I attempt a cool down period with them? If so, how long? I am worried because of my clown loaches. I dont want to stress them out. ANy other info in regards to the balzani's would be great. I know you're pretty well versed with the species.Very nice. Congrats!
I've had the Uruguay ones twice. The first time I got the actual pair Ed pictured (post #11) but unfortunately lost them soon after. The second time was last year when I bough a group Ken Davis and others collected (post #15) and was able to breed them.
Male and female from the second group:
I also kept and bred the Paraguay/Argentina race a few years ago. As Matt mentioned, they looked quite different. Not just the color, but they also seemed smaller and more elongated compared to the Uruguay ones. The shape of the hump on their head looks different too, although I'm not sure if it's representative.
I think the consensus is that they benefit from a few months in the 60s, perhaps even lower. I'm not able provide that as all my tanks are in the house, which is why I'm getting rid of all by Gymnos
I think that if you are determined to house clown loaches and G sp Tapajos with the Gg balzanii, you should avoid the cool down period. The tropicals will not likely do well under cool conditions (the CLs would likely succumb to ick), whereas the Gg balzanii may tolerate the warmer temps. If it were me, I'd house the Gg balzanii with other gymnos and fish that tolerate cooler temps over the winter (e.g., bloodfin tetras, Buenos Aires tetras, salt and pepper corys, Scleromystax barbatus cats). You can put together quite an interesting group this way, and still provide the cooler winter temps. Just my two cents.
BTW, hope the little guys are doing well for you Ian
The Gg balzanii's are growing well and starting to show their colors (the largest is about 1.75" and growth is accelerating). I have them in a 120 gal tank with other, larger gymnos. They fit in just fine. I'm looking forward to seeing them mature.
In another tank, the orange-head geos are about 3+" and starting to flirt/quarrel with one another. Their colors are really beginning to pop.
As you can tell, I'm really pleased with all the fish you sent!
Cheers,
- Ian
Having kept and bred two different species of Gymnogeophagus for the past couple of years, Balzani and Norte, I would like to reiterate that they do in fact need the cooling off period. Both of my groups were tank raised specimens as well and would only spawn after the wintering period. I keep them year round without a heater and they do just fine. In fact, I've noticed their color is the most intense during the cooling off period, and they're also most active during it (at least in my experience).