I thought Geophagus are typically not aggressive?

[Audaxcity]

75g tank. I have x4 3inch Geophagus Red-Head Tapajos.

One of my Geos has dug a nest hole smack dab in the middle of the tank. He hasn't paired off yet, but he's chasing everything around the tank relentlessly. He faced off against a big 7inch pleco today. He's not even the largest Geo in the tank.

Watching a little 3inch fish act like he owns the bottom of the tank is hilarious, but I'm a little confused.


A. Nest building/guarding at 3inches? Does that mean he can breed already?

B. If he's this aggressive at this size, would he get even more so as he gets larger or pairs off? I don't see any fin damage yet, but I want to know just in case.

C. On a separate note, how long do their eggs stick to a surface? I know they're delayed mouthbrooders, but If the eggs stay on a surface too long, the pleco will find them. Removing him is a hassle.

 

[duanes]

If you want to have success breeding cichlids, having the Pleco in the pleco in the tank, will always be problematic, they are nocturnal feeders and will get the cichlid eggs at night when cichlids rest. So if you want cichlid fry, lose the pleco.
And although Geos are less aggressive than many other cichlids, breeding time is the exception, and especially in such a small tank.
Although Geos are mostly a shoaling type, when breeding the pair will leave the shoal, and set up a territory for themselves, which they defend against any other cichlid, including other Geos.
I have had many Geophagines spawn in my tanks, (including Gymnogeophagus) and they have all been consummate defenders of turf, eggs and young (even against much larger and more robust species).

They wait until eggs hatch before picking up the fry, which can be anywhere between 2 to 5 days, often dependent on water temp.

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[neutrino]

Yes, red head geos can pair up and spawn at that size, spawning size for fish can vary due to variable growth rate. Eggs can hatch in two or three days, temperature can affect this. Aggression is relative, depends what else in the tank and even relatively mild fish can become protective and territorial over eggs, fry, or a spawning spot they like-- this is about instinct, not about size.

Ime red head geos typically like a smooth rock, like a piece of slate, as a spawning site-- or they may clean off a bit of driftwood. Ime if you provide some nesting options to suit this, also some cover or protection (plants, driftwood, etc.) at the ends of the tank, they'll select one of those options and not resort to digging a hole in the middle of the tank, something mine never did-- although as the fry grow the parents will venture more out into the open with them.

 

[neutrino]

With plecos and spawning, it partly depends on the pleco-- I bred red head geos in a tank with an L200 and L260 pleco in the tank, not really a problem, both are pretty mild plecos. Also, I'd drop something in the tank for the plecos at night (as in NLS algae wafers, Omega One Veggie Rounds, Omega One shrimp pellets-- not just any cheap "algae" or "pleco" food), so it's not like they're going hungry at night.

Red head geos can breed just fine in a 75.