Geo colony?

[Lizardking]

Do all geophagus form colonies like some of the africans like fronts? and how does it work? one male and 3-4 females or it doesnt matter? just throw in geos add water and you have a colony?? Please enlighten me on the geophagus family situation.

 

[Camphilophus]

There's no such thing as a geophagus colony IMO. My geophagus are just like the rest of my south american cichlids. This might be different for gymno's though, I've never kept them.

 

[Lizardking]

when you say IMO, does that mean that some people think they do form colonies and some dont?

 

[Gage]

Geophagus are harem breeders, so are Gymno's, there may be an exception top this, but every Geo ive seen is a harem breeder in the wild, they sometimes work as pairs in aquariums, but harem is there natural thing.

 

[Lizardking]

Geophagus are harem breeders, so are Gymno's, there may be an exception top this, but every Geo ive seen is a harem breeder in the wild, they sometimes work as pairs in aquariums, but harem is there natural thing.

harem = 1 male and some females??

 

[Gage]

harem = 1 male and some females??

yup, 1 male to multiple amount of females, i personally would, regardless of tanksize, only have one male to a whole bunch of females, not just for the harem reason, but it would really drag your eyes to that lone male, he would stand out a lot. but the more females per male the better.

 

[Camphilophus]

when you say IMO, does that mean that some people think they do form colonies and some dont?

IMO = in my opinion.

Like gage said, one male is the key. My males have always fought, but nothing too serious. They're still living together but if I were trying to breed them I'd probably lose the excess males.

 

[Lizardking]

yup, 1 male to multiple amount of females, i personally would, regardless of tanksize, only have one male to a whole bunch of females, not just for the harem reason, but it would really drag your eyes to that lone male, he would stand out a lot. but the more females per male the better.

what happens if you add another sa cichlid to a tank with an established harem? do they defend their territory or will the harem thing stop?

 

[Gage]

it really depends on tank size and how you set up the tank. if it is a large tank, you have a small harem, and it is set up with very obvious territories, you shouldnt have a problem.

True Geophagus arent really all that aggressive...at all, so as long as the tank is a decent size i couldnt see a problem adding a smaller sized peaceful cichlids like rams or something on those lines, i say smaller because most cichlids the same size as the Geos will pick on the Geos, as they arent really the fighting type.

as far as the harem stopping when you add a fish, no, the harem should not seperate, they may not breed with others in the tank, but the entire harem should not fall apart.

 

[Lizardking]

it really depends on tank size and how you set up the tank. if it is a large tank, you have a small harem, and it is set up with very obvious territories, you shouldnt have a problem.

True Geophagus arent really all that aggressive...at all, so as long as the tank is a decent size i couldnt see a problem adding a smaller sized peaceful cichlids like rams or something on those lines, i say smaller because most cichlids the same size as the Geos will pick on the Geos, as they arent really the fighting type.

as far as the harem stopping when you add a fish, no, the harem should not seperate, they may not breed with others in the tank, but the entire harem should not fall apart.

I got my questions answered. Thank you very much for your information!