Redheads in a 55?

[Gourami Swami]

Brasiliensis would be worse, they get to 12" and are the most aggressive geophagus.
Heckelli group in a 90 would probably be fine. My experience with them is that mine was a bit pushy, even with fish like convicts. So redhead Tapajos seems like the best option to me, or perhaps some of the smaller species gymo's.

 

[J. H.]

Brasiliensis would be worse, they get to 12" and are the most aggressive geophagus.
Heckelli group in a 90 would probably be fine. My experience with them is that mine was a bit pushy, even with fish like convicts. So redhead Tapajos seems like the best option to me, or perhaps some of the smaller species gymo's.

I thought gymno's needed 40F in the winter? If not, I like them bettter than most of the geos anyway, and there are balzani and gymnis I can get now.

 

[Gourami Swami]

I thought gymno's needed 40F in the winter? If not, I like them bettter than most of the geos anyway, and there are balzani and gymnis I can get now.

They don't need 40f, They do like a 3-ish month period of cooler temps in the winter though. But 60-65F should be ok for this. Most people keep them around 70-75 normally, then unplug the heater in the winter and let it get into the 60's. Balzani are very nice. Just make sure whatever other fish you keep with them, can handle the colder winter temps.

 

[J. H.]

One last question. Wetspot has Geophagus abalios, and looking at pics of the adults, they are incredible. Would they work?

 

[Gourami Swami]

Would be pushing it a bit in a 90, as they get larger than the tapajos. But it could be done for a long time if you bought small specimens. If you wanted to try them, you could probably keep them a couple years and sell them for nice $$ once they are large.

 

[Big Jay]

I have a breeding pair of RH's in a 55. They just produced another batch for me. This will HOPEFULLY be my first successful rearing. There are absolutely no problems maintaining them in a 55 as long as you:

1) Have sand substrate
2) Good filtration
3) Are not overcrowded

I started with 5 to find a pair. I unfortunately lost one early on due to parasites. I maintained the 4 up until 2 years ago when the pair, paired off, and started beating on the other two. So I sold off the 2 that weren't paired.

You could maintain a group of 4-5 RH's in a 55 if it's JUST them. If you end up with just a pair, you can add other fish. My stock is:

2x RH Tapajos
4x Colombian Tetra (dithers)
1x EBJD
1 L200 Pleco

Now I don't know if this is true or not but...there are two sub-species of the RH's. One stays small, one gets bigger. Mine have orange heads and the bigger of the two is 6" and I've had him for easily 5-6 years.

I don't know where you're located but I *MIGHT* have some babies to part with. Can't make any promises as they are still very small.

 

[J. H.]

I have a breeding pair of RH's in a 55. They just produced another batch for me. This will HOPEFULLY be my first successful rearing. There are absolutely no problems maintaining them in a 55 as long as you:

1) Have sand substrate
2) Good filtration
3) Are not overcrowded

I started with 5 to find a pair. I unfortunately lost one early on due to parasites. I maintained the 4 up until 2 years ago when the pair, paired off, and started beating on the other two. So I sold off the 2 that weren't paired.

You could maintain a group of 4-5 RH's in a 55 if it's JUST them. If you end up with just a pair, you can add other fish. My stock is:

2x RH Tapajos
4x Colombian Tetra (dithers)
1x EBJD
1 L200 Pleco

Now I don't know if this is true or not but...there are two sub-species of the RH's. One stays small, one gets bigger. Mine have orange heads and the bigger of the two is 6" and I've had him for easily 5-6 years.

I don't know where you're located but I *MIGHT* have some babies to part with. Can't make any promises as they are still very small.

Thanks. I'm in Rockland, NY.

 

[Big Jay]

Thanks. I'm in Rockland, NY.

I am not far from you at all. Should these babies get to a decent size, I would consider parting with some for you. Won't be for a couple months though as they need to grow quite a bit. Don't want to jinx myself. That's one of the parents in my profile/avatar.

I also just saw it seems like you're leaning towards a 90. That would be a nice setup for a breeding group.

 

[J. H.]

I am not far from you at all. Should these babies get to a decent size, I would consider parting with some for you. Won't be for a couple months though as they need to grow quite a bit. Don't want to jinx myself. That's one of the parents in my profile/avatar.

I also just saw it seems like you're leaning towards a 90. That would be a nice setup for a breeding group.

Thanks! if it's a big chance, I may put off getting the fish until after I install the 90. I can't do that until I finish the semester, a couple weeks away.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Redheads need at least a 20 ft wide by 30 ft long room.
They can be aggressive towards other humans and need stimulation and interaction.
Never mind wrong redheads.