Gymnogeophagus balzanii care questions

[duanes]

To show separation distance between, and how climate zones in S America may effect the way we keep S American species.
The distance from Manaus Brazil and Montevideo Uruguay is @ 3100 miles.
In N America the distance from Toronto to Miami is only @ 1200 miles.
A closer parallel might be Toronto and Cancun (1600 miles), and the aquarium equivalent might be trying to keep Canadian arctic char with Mexican jack dempseys.

 

[terrorG]

They look really cool

 

[FishKing5]

To show separation distance between, and how climate zones in S America may effect the way we keep S American species.
The distance from Manaus Brazil and Montevideo Uruguay is @ 3100 miles.
In N America the distance from Toronto to Miami is only @ 1200 miles.
A closer parallel might be Toronto and Cancun (1600 miles), and the aquarium equivalent might be trying to keep Canadian arctic char with Mexican jack dempseys.

Ya I'm going to just let the balzanii have a 90 gallon all to themselves. Going to try and replicate a natural biotope for them too just not with added tannins but with plenty of driftwood pieces with rocks and branches and the sand substrate of course.

 

[FishKing5]

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

Ya I'm going to just let the balzanii have a 90 gallon all to themselves. Going to try and replicate a natural biotope for them too just not with added tannins but with plenty of driftwood pieces with rocks and branches and the sand substrate of course.

 

[dogofwar]

I keep my group of balzanii in their own 75g tank (with some bloodfins)

I wouldn't keep them long term with sajicas, parrots or Vieja.

Matt

 

[FishKing5]

Y

I keep my group of balzanii in their own 75g tank (with some bloodfins)

I wouldn't keep them long term with sajicas, parrots or Vieja.

Matt

Yep. I'm just leaving them on there own. I'll post a pic or the new setup this weekend with them in there.

 

[FishKing5]

I'll post a pic or video of the balzanii setup this weekend. Should be pretty sweet.

 

[FishKing5]

To show separation distance between, and how climate zones in S America may effect the way we keep S American species.
The distance from Manaus Brazil and Montevideo Uruguay is @ 3100 miles.
In N America the distance from Toronto to Miami is only @ 1200 miles.
A closer parallel might be Toronto and Cancun (1600 miles), and the aquarium equivalent might be trying to keep Canadian arctic char with Mexican jack dempseys.

So do these fish REQUIRE a cool down period in the winter time at all life stages? Just wondering so I know if I should just shut my heater down for these guys for the next few months and let them just live at room temp. They're just little 1 inch guys right now

 

[duanes]

I never used a heater in my balzani tank at all.

 

[FishKing5]

I never used a heater in my balzani tank at all.

unplugged the heater for the balzanii tank. I'm also getting a group of F1 cichlasoma dimerus from bella union to add with the F1 bella union balzanii. I've read they can do well together so we will see how it goes over time. Couldn't get myself to pass them up from Ken. They are quite stunning looking fish. Hopefully I can get some pairs to form by the time I move them to their 180 next summer.