Break down on Geos?

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Buphy

Buphy

Dovii
MFK Member
Jun 10, 2015
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So I know that's really broad but I'm really just looking for basic info. For example:
What are the more common types?
What is the average size range?
I've heard they do well in groups; what size is a good group?
How many would comfortably fit in a 125?

I'll come up with more questions later but those are just a few. Came across a "red hump" geo today at a LFS that looked neat, anyone know anything specific on them? Thanks in advance for responses!
 
That is a very broad question, Geophagines run the gamut from southern S American cool water species like Gymnogeophagus, that top out at 5"-6", all the way to the Geo altifrons clade of the Amazon region at 12", or the Geophagus braziliensus group from southern Brazil @ 12", to the red hump Geo group of north western slopes of S America, and Panama.
Though slow growers the red humps can reach about 10+", and do well as a group of 1 male to a number of females (as many females as you can get). Males will court them all hard, and if there are 3 or more females there is less chance of dead females.
Here are some examples
Gymnogeophagus "yerbalito" from Uruguay, like a cool down period

Geophagus iporaguense, part of the braziliensus clade

Acarichthys heckelli, likes warm water, and I found a 150 gal too small for adults

Guianacara sp
 
Yes, Geo is a geographically diverse group. I have no success keeping the soft water group like Jurupari and suramensis which all came up with HITH. I am currently keeping a hard water speices lipogenesis that is closely related to brasiliensis from Uraquay.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Ya I figured it was pretty broad but I gotta learn some how =P any particular species you'd recommend for a 125? It'd have a red severum and then schooling fish with them.
 
Depends on your water conditions, because some need soft water to stay healthy.
The demon fish clade (much like tiger15) did not do well in my water conditions, but
I have kept and had Geophagus altifrons spawn in my alkaline conditions (pH 7.8, general hardness about 350m/L) without problems, as long as I kept up with frequent water changes.
I've also had the red humps, and the braziliensus clade in those conditions.
 
Should probably find out those specs on my water then... Wasn't initially a concern because I started out with JD and read they were super harty and I'd be ok... I'll look into it and get back to y'all! Thanks
 
tiger15 said:
Yes, Geo is a geographically diverse group. I have no success keeping the soft water group like Jurupari and suramensis which all came up with HITH. I am currently keeping a hard water speices lipogenesis that is closely related to brasiliensis from Uraquay.
Click to expand...
I've had great success using driftwood to soften my water. Plus I find the fish enjoy a little tea stain in the water. More vibrant colors
 
Buphy said:
Should probably find out those specs on my water then... Wasn't initially a concern because I started out with JD and read they were super harty and I'd be ok... I'll look into it and get back to y'all! Thanks
Click to expand...
how large is your JD? They can be pretty rowdy, geos aren't super aggressive in my experience and may get thumped on.
 
"Started with", the jd got rehomed recently.
 
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