Can Gymnogeophagus Balzanii do well in a 75 gal?

[getmethatgeoplease]

Was looking at different types of Geophagus and came across this fish. Have had red heads and Threadfin before but know nothing really about the Balzanii. I saw they are cool temp but not sure if they would need a larger tank once full grown.

Also, what other fish can be kept with them?

 

[The Masked Shadow]

jjohnwm D dogofwar duanes

One of the larger species of gymnogeophagus. I think they should be fine. If you can find some, perhaps smaller species of Gymnogeophagus are better. You could attempt to get a pair, as I am doing with Gymnogeophagus Terrapurpurra. They lay lots of eggs. Perhaps make a little bit of profit off of the hobby.

 

[jjohnwm]

I have six balzanii in a 360 community with G.rhabdotus, Cichlasoma dimerus, and a number of smaller livebearers, catfish, loaches, etc. The balzanii are the largest fish in the tank; dominant male is about 6 inches, smallest female is maybe 3.5 inches. Even that big humpheaded male is a complete pushover and is regularly rousted away from food by the other smaller cichlids. Baby Goodeids (Ameca and Xenotoca) appear regularly in the tank and none of the cichlids pay them the slightest attention.

But a fully-grown male can be 7-8 inches, females 5-6. Would you want a number of them in a 75-gallon tank? I know I wouldn't. I can accept the fact that aquarium fish are our captives; I don't think they should be treated as prisoners-of-war. And I certainly wouldn't place several into that tank, and then begin searching for still more tankmates of other species.

 

[Krismo962]

Must you always humanize aquarium fish?

I don't think they should be treated as prisoners-of-war

 

[Theos.dad]

How many are you taking about keeping? I can't see a problem with an 8 or 9 inch fish being in a tank with 18 inches front to back. As for tank mates you can go with any other smaller peaceful cichlids to even angels. It really depends if you're going for fish from the same area or just a basic community tank. The wholesaler I deal with has these in his fish room. I've spent a lot of hours watching his tanks and hanging out on weekends.They tend to find a spot and lurk in that general area. Very rarely get in a hurry. He keeps his with album angels, swords and hognose corydoras.

I definitely wouldn't suggest all that in a 75 but in the right amounts it could be made work

I think my idea of large is way different than others

 

[jjohnwm]

Must you always humanize aquarium fish?

Lol, I don't think I ever do! I am quite literally never going on and on about "loving" my fish, "bonding" with my fish, etc. the way many people here do. I may use the term "personality", but only in the sense of variations between one individual and the next; I don't anthropomorphize them. I don't give my fish names, although my family and friends do. The loss of a fish is not an emotional event for me; I'm obviously not happy about it but I have no emotional attachment to individual fish. They are just fish.

I don't even think of them as "pets". Dogs and cats are beloved family members; I don't humanize them, simply because I find them preferable to most humans. But fish? Sorry...they are just fish. They're specimens.

However...we are supposed to be higher animals, with advanced sensibilities and perceptions. To my way of thinking, we should display a consideration for all forms of life. This means, among other things, not causing unnecessary death/pain/suffering. And, yes, I categorize the crowding of fish into containers that are too small...in my opinion... as falling into that category, so I exhort people not to do that. I'm not humanizing fish with that simile; I am attempting to humanize people.

Again, just my opinion, which is all that any of the answers you get ever are. And...like all my opinions...it comes with a 100% guarantee; a full refund of what you paid for it if you aren't satisfied, no questions asked.

Thanks for the chuckle!

 

[Krismo962]

You're welcome

Thanks for the chuckle!

 

[duanes]

I would think a 75 would be a good grow out tank for a while, or for keeping a pair or trio.
For a larger shoal, or tank with other cichlids, an up grade to a 6 ft tank might be needed.
Male above, female below



They are not predatory on other fish, or very aggressive despite they're robust appearance (they can be quite shy)
so any other cichlids would need to be on the low aggression scale, or they might be stressed.
Some of the smaller Uruguayan pikes might work, like these Uruguayan Crenicichla saxatillis, in a 6 ft tank.

I kept mine with Uruguayan Corys, and other cool water fish.
Kept the tank room temp (no heater), since mine were the variant from Bella Union Uruguay.
I also kept them with high altitude mexican live bearers like Xenatoca eiseni, these species appreciated the lower temps (low 70s, high 60s) the balzani have evolved to live in.

 

[RD.]

IMO 1 male and 2-3 females should be fine in a 75, if the tank is maintained properly. This species is prone to HITH if kept in any type of stressful environment, be it stress from poor water parameters, dirty filters, aggressive tank mates, etc. So the smaller the tank, the more one has to keep up on the overall conditions.

 

[PhishMon84]

jjohnwm D dogofwar duanes

One of the larger species of gymnogeophagus. I think they should be fine. If you can find some, perhaps smaller species of Gymnogeophagus are better. You could attempt to get a pair, as I am doing with Gymnogeophagus Terrapurpurra. They lay lots of eggs. Perhaps make a little bit of profit off of the hobby.

You’ll saturate your local market inside of 6 months. I had a few pairs when they still referred to as “el norte” they breed like convicts- ie just add water