Breeding Eartheaters - what are my best choices/options

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inssane

Gambusia
MFK Member
May 27, 2010
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16
Chicago
This is just a thought at this point.
My 55 gallon is in a transition right now. I have sand, driftwood, some riverstones, cloth plants and the whole mid to top of the left tank side is open for swimming.

I am going through several different fish in my consideration and I am subconsciously leaning towards Eartheaters (my web browser history is proof of my leaning). I havent bred any fish for 15 years and at the time it was killies and some livebearers as a kid.
I am up for the challenge of trying and I know that it takes time and interaction to sex them, and possible elimination of "extra" fish while sexing and preparing for breeding.

It looks like my tank environment would be great "as is" for breeding as one of my riverstones is very smooth and flat on the top, and it's near plants and the airstone for mild water flow. Water parameters and patience just need to be tweaked as it comes closer :)

So the question is: What species should I consider for an "easier" time getting them to breed.

I would like to have 5 HY511 tetras in my 55 with them and my small loach and dwarf pleco, but the bit I have read so far says that other fish are not a good idea - and I am fine with that. The loach "could" go, if he is bothersome to the couple at one point, but I would at least want a few cories to clean a bit.

Any advice on the species, or even a solid link with good info. Some of the info I am finding on breeding is a little to generic and cookie cutter to be taken seriously.

THANKS!
Nick
 
You can try some Geophagus sp. Pindare. They are pretty easy to breed, and would be the best fit for a 55. I think Rapps still has some good sized ones.
 
A 55 is on the small size for any eartheater. Have looked into gymnogeophagus or guianacara? Those the only two genus of "eartheater" IMO that would thrive in a tank that size. Both can be bred fairly easily. GL
 
Thanks for the info.
Eartheaters is a new project for me, and a fish I am not familiar with. I am getting myself up to speed. I know that I have to watch the adult size and temperment of adults while making my selection for this tank.

The gymnogeophagus is one of the several I am considering, so that's nice to hear that breeding could happen.

I was just at my LFS and I asked about breeding species as well (before I saw these posts :) ) and he wasn't sure which ones would be best, but said he had two adults in a top tank that bred with other fish in the tank, and with weekend crowds. That was interesting to me, and promising as well.

It seems that not many places sell these eartheaters, but they can be had by ordering. I would love to help people on the board by offering up fry at one point, and for the experience of course.
 
Gymnos would be an awesome option for you except not sure if your other fish could handle the cool down period necessary for them to breed. I keep all my gymnos in unheated tanks, letting the temp vary from the high 50s to 80s throughout the year. A couple months of cool water is all that is needed to get them to breed.
 
What about Geophagus Surinamensis?
I am only asking because my LFS has those regularly. The other LFS is having trouble getting any geos.
 
David R;4788699; said:
I bet they don't.....
Click to expand...

I physically saw the fish. What is that supposed to mean?
 
inssane;4788763; said:
I physically saw the fish. What is that supposed to mean?
Click to expand...

It's covered very often. Highly unlikely they have true suries.. Do a search on this section and you'll see what I mean. It's not really all that relevent though since nothing from the surinamensis "complex" will live in a 55 gallon. Like I said above nothing from the Geophagus genus as a whole is going to fit in a 55 gallon.

Did you look into the Gymnogeophagus or Guianacara? They are in the eartheater family and are beautiful, just stay smaller. ;)
 
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