I ordered a dozen Gymnogeophagus balzanii that will spend the summer in a 300 gallon stock tank outside. When the come in in the fall, they'll be going in a 75. I want to make an accurate biotope setup with the balzanii as the center pieces. Does anyone know of any smaller species i.e. Tetras, Cory's, plecos that would belong in the biotope? I'm trying to make it as authentic as possible, so they would have to live in the same river system as the balzanii. Any info you have, or if you know where to find the info, would be appreciated.
G. balzani biotope question
- Thread starter evojoey
- Start date
according to aqva terra, the cichlids below inhabit the area of the Uruguayan strain of balzani
Apistogramma borellii
Apistogramma cf. commbrae
Cichlasoma dimerus "Constitucion"
Crenicichla minuano "Constitucion"
Crenicichla missioneira "Embalse"
Crenicichla vittata 'Salto'
Gymnogeophagus australis "Constitucion"
there are also a number of Corydorus species from the area
I keep C erhardti with mine
as far as tetras there are Buenos aires types, and a number of piranha
and there are killifish
Apistogramma borellii
Apistogramma cf. commbrae
Cichlasoma dimerus "Constitucion"
Crenicichla minuano "Constitucion"
Crenicichla missioneira "Embalse"
Crenicichla vittata 'Salto'
Gymnogeophagus australis "Constitucion"
there are also a number of Corydorus species from the area
I keep C erhardti with mine
as far as tetras there are Buenos aires types, and a number of piranha
and there are killifish
There are two main types of balzanii: the ones that have been in the hobby for a long time (from Paraguay) and the newer Uruguayan strain (yellower and from somewhat temperate climate - think Miami)
We collected them in Bella Union, Uruguay in March. The water is quite muddy there, so it's hard to see under the water. The balzanii tend to hang out where trees are hanging into the water and (I'd assume) places where there are trees and roots in the water.
That pond is right next to the Rio Uruguay (large river separating Uruguay and Argentina), so you get all sorts of river fish in it. It's full of tetras (Bryconamericanus sp.?), Cory longipinnis (looks kind of like C. paleatus but with taller dorsal), yellow-belly piranhas, Hoplo cats, Cichlasoma dimerus and Gymnogeo. High Dorsal North. We also caught a bunch of Pimelodella cats (P. gracilis and maculatus). The balzanii often have bites and scars from the wild!
Of course none of this fish are really available in the hobby (it's expensive to ship from Uruguay and there's really not much demand). I donated a group of the C. longipinnis to the rare fish auction at AquaMania 2.
Here's what it looks like:
For aquariums I'd pretty much keep them as the only cichlid in the tank. A group of serpae tetras could be a good match with them. And another group of C. paleatus. They really benefit from a cool-down in the winter. As Bella Union is warmer than most parts of the country, the 60s is probably good enough. I'd decorate with a few wood tangles and some PFS.
I'll be doing a presentation on collecting in Uruguay (including Bella Union) on 6/28 at the Cichlid Club of York. You're more than welcome to check it out.
Matt
We collected them in Bella Union, Uruguay in March. The water is quite muddy there, so it's hard to see under the water. The balzanii tend to hang out where trees are hanging into the water and (I'd assume) places where there are trees and roots in the water.
That pond is right next to the Rio Uruguay (large river separating Uruguay and Argentina), so you get all sorts of river fish in it. It's full of tetras (Bryconamericanus sp.?), Cory longipinnis (looks kind of like C. paleatus but with taller dorsal), yellow-belly piranhas, Hoplo cats, Cichlasoma dimerus and Gymnogeo. High Dorsal North. We also caught a bunch of Pimelodella cats (P. gracilis and maculatus). The balzanii often have bites and scars from the wild!
Of course none of this fish are really available in the hobby (it's expensive to ship from Uruguay and there's really not much demand). I donated a group of the C. longipinnis to the rare fish auction at AquaMania 2.
Here's what it looks like:
For aquariums I'd pretty much keep them as the only cichlid in the tank. A group of serpae tetras could be a good match with them. And another group of C. paleatus. They really benefit from a cool-down in the winter. As Bella Union is warmer than most parts of the country, the 60s is probably good enough. I'd decorate with a few wood tangles and some PFS.
I'll be doing a presentation on collecting in Uruguay (including Bella Union) on 6/28 at the Cichlid Club of York. You're more than welcome to check it out.
Matt
Matt, that is some great info. First hand accounts of their natural environment is better than anything I could find online. The plan is for them to be the only cichlid in the tank. I'd love to listen to your presentation. Gonna have to check my schedule. I will be at K2 and plan on speaking to Ken Davis about them as well. Serpae tetras will be an easy find. The longipinnis will be a challenge. Thanks for the info.
Hi Matt, I love ur first hand experience. It is invaluable to hobbyists who want to create a biotope.
I'm also going to develop a balzani centered biotope based on your descriptions and some things I have read.
I have a related question:
I know u mentioned hyacinth, but do u think pistia ( water lettuce) is also present in the biotope? My understanding is hyacinth is not a good aquarium plant.
I'm also going to develop a balzani centered biotope based on your descriptions and some things I have read.
I have a related question:
I know u mentioned hyacinth, but do u think pistia ( water lettuce) is also present in the biotope? My understanding is hyacinth is not a good aquarium plant.
Much appreciated - it's an amazing place 
I didn't see any water lettuce but I that doesn't mean it couldn't work. An area of wood with Java fern or moss could look nice and be pretty authentic.
Here are a few more pics to give you an idea...
The little grove of submerged trees in the third pic is where we caught a lot of the larger balzanii (and where Felipe says caiman hang out... I didn't see any...). I flushed them out of the limbs and Felipe cast-netted them.
My personal lack of success with these guys has, I think, lots to do with not keeping them as the only cichlid in the tank. They're regal but also best as the most dominant fish in the biotype. Lots of cories, tetras and the like...maybe a school of Pim cats but not more aggressive Geos or Gymnogeos.
The first
Matt
I didn't see any water lettuce but I that doesn't mean it couldn't work. An area of wood with Java fern or moss could look nice and be pretty authentic.
Here are a few more pics to give you an idea...
The little grove of submerged trees in the third pic is where we caught a lot of the larger balzanii (and where Felipe says caiman hang out... I didn't see any...). I flushed them out of the limbs and Felipe cast-netted them.
My personal lack of success with these guys has, I think, lots to do with not keeping them as the only cichlid in the tank. They're regal but also best as the most dominant fish in the biotype. Lots of cories, tetras and the like...maybe a school of Pim cats but not more aggressive Geos or Gymnogeos.
The first
Matt
Very cool pics. I'd love to go on a collecting trip down there. The balzani would be the only cichlid in the tank. Already got a bunch of corydoras paleatus, as well as some buenos aries tetras. Not really keen on them right now. I'd like to find something rarer from those waters. Thanks for the pics and info. Priceless.
Matt and Duanes have covered almost everything so here are couple more photos that might help you with your tank. Btw on my last trip we caught a couple serpae tetras so you can use them instead of the BA tetras. Good luck with you tank!
Wow! I would love to go on a trip with Felipe too. Armand, thanks also for those amazing photos! That balzani floors me!Based on the descriptions, here's what I came up with:
It's a 55 gallon:
I have some blood fin tetras in quarantine til they are ready to enter them main tank. And I plan on putting in corydoras aeneus.
So my final stock would be:
6 balzani
11 blood fin tetras
6 or more cories.
What do you think?
I'm not trying to steal the op's thread, I just hope it adds to the conversation. I'm open to constructive criticism especially from you all who have been there.
Thankfully,
Alden