Geophagus / Eartheaters Question
- Thread starter NSKIRK559
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I'd go for a group of 5-6 of one of the smaller species like the red/orange heads in a tank that size. Sandy substrate is a must-have IMO so they can feed and behave naturally. Warm soft water, generally speaking. Feed smaller sinking foods 1mm or less diameter (NLS is good, I also feed mine flake and occasionally bloodworms).
It is always best to keep one species of goes as they very greatly in temperament. The Jurupari are the most interactive with the keeper and do not do as much of the sparing as the rest of them so they can be kept is smaller groups of 1 or 3, but it does not have the most beautiful reds or long tails. Other then that all cichlids should always be kept in groups to of atleast six to divert the aggression if you are going to keep more then one. There is a lot of info on the net but it is difficult to get real info on numbers to keep.
I have about 3 geos smallest being 1-2in and the other 2 3in. Like one of the posters said, they go well with sand in the tank. I missed them eating the sand and watching them spit it out. It looked awesome. But since then I moved them out of 55 gallon and into my 240 gallon but I didn't go with sand. It was harder to clean and looked dirty when the fish would poop. What is also cool they will come up to the top and grab the pellets from the Oscars.
As far as aggression, since mine are all the same there is sometimes a tiny bit of aggression towards each other. But nothing serious. I do plan on getting 2 for my new 120 gallon but I didn't bother putting sand in this tank.
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As far as aggression, since mine are all the same there is sometimes a tiny bit of aggression towards each other. But nothing serious. I do plan on getting 2 for my new 120 gallon but I didn't bother putting sand in this tank.
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One of the most important considerations (beside tank footprint) may be what the chemical make up of your normal water supply is. Because all seem to require very clean water, thus regular water changes, some Geophagines are very sensitive chemistry, some are not. Or if the ones available to you are bred in your local conditions, this may be moot.
If you have hard water the red hump group are very adaptable, as are the Gymnogeophagus genus, and the braziliensus complex. My water is just above neutral pH so beside the above mentioned, any of the altifrons complex, and the genus Acarichthys and Guianacara have done well.
If you have hard water the red hump group are very adaptable, as are the Gymnogeophagus genus, and the braziliensus complex. My water is just above neutral pH so beside the above mentioned, any of the altifrons complex, and the genus Acarichthys and Guianacara have done well.
Many geos require groups to truly thrive. Geophagus parnaibe, red/orange head tapajos, pindare, and taeniopareius are all species that hit about 6-8" at most and can thrive in a group in a 90 gallon tank. I recommend at least 4, but a 90 can let you do up to 6-7.
There are a few geos that get larger (10-12") that can be kept solo. The Satanoperca genus of earth eaters get to be around 10" and are recommended to be solo because their conspecifics can be high.
As far as setup, its just like any other fish tank with the exception that you will ABSOLUTELY NEED sand. They are earth eaters, so they need some earth to "eat". They can't do it with gravel, but make sure you don't get a very light sand like play sand. Their sifting will churn up the substrate and you want a sand that will quickly settle (I use pool filter sand in all my tanks and I love watching my geo red heads sift around).
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