Gymnogeophagus Balzanii

[OW_Exotics]

Hi, I have the opportunity to purchase some Balzanii but want to make sure that I am 100% certain on their care before I make the purchase. I have a group of very young geo tapajos and I know that they prefer higher temps. I have heard that an artificial winter of 15-18 degrees is best for Balzanii for a few months each year. My questions are, will these species be compatible- along with potentially sveni in the future- and does the artificial winter still apply to captive bred individuals as these are what I have sourced. Thank you

 

[tlindsey]

Hi, I have the opportunity to purchase some Balzanii but want to make sure that I am 100% certain on their care before I make the purchase. I have a group of very young geo tapajos and I know that they prefer higher temps. I have heard that an artificial winter of 15-18 degrees is best for Balzanii for a few months each year. My questions are, will these species be compatible- along with potentially sveni in the future- and does the artificial winter still apply to captive bred individuals as these are what I have sourced. Thank you

I personally would do the Geo Balzanni with only fish species that can tolerate the seasonal changes.
Great thread here https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...us-balzanii-dead-next-day.578508/post-6872867

 

[tlindsey]

I personally would do the Geo Balzanni with only fish species that can tolerate the seasonal changes.
Great thread here https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...us-balzanii-dead-next-day.578508/post-6872867

Another thread https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/gymnogeophagus-balzanii-care-questions.678556/

 

[duanes]

Because Geo pyrocephalis (Rio Tapajos) is a more northen, and " tropical species", compared to Gymnogeophagus balzani, a subtropical species,
I do not personally consider them to be compatible long term, unless you split them up for a temporary cool down period each season.

Lets consider that Sanatarem Brazil (on the Tapajoas river,) is nearly 2500 miles north Bella Union where many balzani are from, near Montevideo Uruguay .
The distance between Miami and Toronto is closer (only 1500 miles),
maybe that seems like apples and oranges, but climatic conditions, and seasonal differences are quite drastic between the 2 areas of S America.

When I first tried to house Gymnogeophagus in tropical temps year round, I ran into fungal and bacterial problems when not giving the Gymnos a winter cool down.
You might also consider Amazonian water parameters in the north can be different than in te south.

Because I have kept both species, but would not keep them together, because pyrocephalus prefers constant temps in the low 80s, balzani would like a winter cool down in the mid 60sF.
My balzani were the Uuguayan Bella Union varient, so If you can access a more northern Brazilian varient, it might be possible.

 

[OW_Exotics]

I’ll give them a read, wasn’t sure as they are captive bread from Taiwan. Will probably go with a different species if they need to go to lower temps.

 

[OW_Exotics]

I can get megasema, winemilleri, sveni, steindachneri, and tapajos both albino and standard. I have a small group of tapajos at an around 3-4cm. Which species would be the best mix for the future and would I be able to try and mix more tapajos either these at this size?

 

[troublesum]

I would go Sveni only tank maybe with some angels they look better and if they breed you can get more $$$

 

[OW_Exotics]

Yeah, I have 3 tapajos and two jurupari (satanoperca) was thinking abt getting sveni tapajos and winemilleri. The tank will be 680L. Definitely want sveni tho! They are so nice. Going to get an albino tapajos pair as well.