Eartheaters

[Ilovefishes24]

Good Afternoon. I'll be upgrading soon
Can someone help with get some earth eaters in my tank
What different kind are they
Are all peaceful

 

[ryansmith83]

There are tons of them, in all sizes and temperaments. You'll need to tell us more about your tank. How large is it, what are their tankmates, etc.?

There are Gymnogeophagus from the south which require cooler water, there are large-growing Geophagus, medium-growing Geophagus, there are 'Geophagus' brasiliensis which aren't technically geos that are large and aggressive, and so on.

 

[duanes]

Agree with Ryan I believe there are probably at least 100 species of earth eaters.
I prefer the Gymnogeophagus species, they don't require heaters are can handle small tanks. Many others need minimum 100 gallons, or in the case 200 gallons with Acarichthus if you want to keep more than one.
Here are some pics
Gymnoeophagus quilero (AKA Yerbalito)

Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache

Gymnogeophagus balzani

The above species do best in a harem situation with 1 male to 2 or 3 females
Geophagus altifrons, the one below is about 10", I wouldn't;t put them in anything less that a 100 gal tank

Below, Geophagus iporaguensus, part of the braziliensus complex

Acarichthys heckelli, need very large tanks for more than 1

and another Geophagine earth eater, Guianacara sp

 

[Ilovefishes24]

Agree with Ryan I believe there are probably at least 100 species of earth eaters.
I prefer the Gymnogeophagus species, they don't require heaters are can handle small tanks. Many others need minimum 100 gallons, or in the case 200 gallons with Acarichthus if you want to keep more than one.
Here are some pics
Gymnoeophagus quilero (AKA Yerbalito)

Gymnogeophagus sp Paso Pache

Gymnogeophagus balzani

The above species do best in a harem situation with 1 male to 2 or 3 females
Geophagus altifrons, the one below is about 10", I wouldn't;t put them in anything less that a 100 gal tank

Below, Geophagus iporaguensus, part of the braziliensus complex

Acarichthys heckelli, need very large tanks for more than 1

and another Geophagine earth eater, Guianacara sp

wow that's that's amazing
It's looks great
What size tank do you have
I currently have a 30G long with a heckelli
2 keyholes cichlids
1 paradise gourami
1 rainbow shark which I have to rehome cause all of a sudden he began to chase my keyholes
In 3 days I'll be upgrading to a 75G

 

[duanes]

For Gymnogeophagus, and Guianacara I used minimum 55-75 gallon tanks, for the altifons and braziliensus group at least 100 gallons, for the thread fin (Acarchthys heckelli) mine killed each other in a 150 gal at maturity, so if I did them again, at least 200 gallons plus,
I wouldn'y use a 30 for anything except growing out fry, or as a hospital/quarantine tank as far as earth eaters go.
The 75 would work for Gymnogeophagus, and Guianacara, or as a grow out for some of the others .
Gymnogeeophagus are cool water fish, the only one on your list they could be housed with, is the paradise fish because the others like the keyholes, are true tropicals

 

[neutrino]

1 rainbow shark which I have to rehome cause all of a sudden he began to chase my keyholes

That's what they do once they start growing and/or get comfortable in a tank. Rainbow sharks are nice fish, but they need room and tankmates they can't intimidate ime.

75 is close to a minimum, except maybe a single pair imo, but there are some medium to smaller geos that can work in a 75 ime-- Tapajos red head geos (some call them orange head and consider it more correct, but "red head" has become more common), also G. pindare and G. parnaibae. Also, you'll often see people say geos need to be in groups. True, when they're smaller they're more comfortable in a group, but paired off adults (or sub-adults) are perfectly content as just the two with other compatible fish ime.

 

[DarylMac]

I group of Bolivian Rams, who are like a dwarf eartheater, would go great in a 75g with Keyholes in my opinion.

 

[Ilovefishes24]

For Gymnogeophagus, and Guianacara I used minimum 55-75 gallon tanks, for the altifons and braziliensus group at least 100 gallons, for the thread fin (Acarchthys heckelli) mine killed each other in a 150 gal at maturity, so if I did them again, at least 200 gallons plus,
I wouldn'y use a 30 for anything except growing out fry, or as a hospital/quarantine tank as far as earth eaters go.
The 75 would work for Gymnogeophagus, and Guianacara, or as a grow out for some of the others .
Gymnogeeophagus are cool water fish, the only one on your list they could be housed with, is the paradise fish because the others like the keyholes, are true tropicals

Thanks a lot
Good info
Ok I'll check it out
The gourami I plan to rehome

 

[Ilovefishes24]

That's what they do once they start growing and/or get comfortable in a tank. Rainbow sharks are nice fish, but they need room and tankmates they can't intimidate ime.

75 is close to a minimum, except maybe a single pair imo, but there are some medium to smaller geos that can work in a 75 ime-- Tapajos red head geos (some call them orange head and consider it more correct, but "red head" has become more common), also G. pindare and G. parnaibae. Also, you'll often see people say geos need to be in groups. True, when they're smaller they're more comfortable in a group, but paired off adults (or sub-adults) are perfectly content as just the two with other compatible fish ime.

Thanks for the feedback
I'll check it out

 

[duanes]

I agree with the Rams with the keyholes in a 75.