I am interested in the earth eater group. I've been doing research but there is a lot of conflicting info on tank and growth sizes. If any one can suggest any that would fit in a 55 gallon tank and maybe a little care info I would appreciate it. They seem like an interesting fish to keep.
Earth eaters for a 55 gallon?
- Thread starter wattfish16
- Start date
A 55 is a bit small for many Geophagine groups in my opinion, although would work for a group of many Gymnogeophagus.
Some I have had in smaller tanks are
Gymno...balzani
Gymno...sp yerbalito
Gymno...sp paso pache
Some I have had in smaller tanks are
Gymno...balzani
Gymno...sp yerbalito
Gymno...sp paso pache
I agree with Duanes, I would go with with some Gymno's. I've kept the "El Norte" cool little fish that work well in a room temperature tank.
thanks for the suggestions. Also are they a schooling fish? if I went up to a 75 gallon would that increase my options?
The Gymnogeophagus sp, although not schooling fish, do best in shoals of 1 or 2 males and multiple females.
I have kept 2 male Gymno balzani with 4 females in a 60 gal, with some live bearers, and Uruguayan corys.
And 3 male Gymno yerbalito with 5 females in a 100 gal, with some other Uruguayan cichlids.
Have also kept Guianacara as a group of 2 males and multiple females in 100 and 150 gal tanks, they do grow fairly slowly, so a 55 might work a while, though in my opinion, at 3 years of age mine are getting a bit bulky for a small tank like that.
I have kept 2 male Gymno balzani with 4 females in a 60 gal, with some live bearers, and Uruguayan corys.
And 3 male Gymno yerbalito with 5 females in a 100 gal, with some other Uruguayan cichlids.
Have also kept Guianacara as a group of 2 males and multiple females in 100 and 150 gal tanks, they do grow fairly slowly, so a 55 might work a while, though in my opinion, at 3 years of age mine are getting a bit bulky for a small tank like that.
As Mrrobxc suggested, you might also want to consider Orange Head Tapajos. They don't get overly large, do well in small groups, and don't require a cool down period. Very colorful, and relatively easy to breed (if they don't eat the eggs! - mine always did).
The orange head Tapajos are a beautiful fish. Would a pair be ok with a sveni pike? He doesn't bother anything he cant eat.
I second the RH/OH Tapajos. I have 5 in my 55 that I'm trying to establish a pair with. Once I establish the pair I'm looking to sell the remaining 3 to another aquarist that may want to breed them as well.
6" would be considered large for that species.
6" would be considered large for that species.