Geo tank 125g , thoughts?

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Nm1

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Apr 9, 2019
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I have an absolutely stunning 4x2x2 in which currently houses 2 freakishly cute red ear sliders a salvani they have accepted as their own and a small group of tiger barbs . It’s an eccentric/motley crew but everyone is pretty tight. The turtles have matured a bit and are moving into a 200 gallon turtle enclosure, the salvani is getting into a single species tank. I always wanted to have a Geo tank, I am drawn to the colors and personalities. I am hoping to put together a balanced environment and am asking for some advice on stocking and set up.

I appreciate the collective knowledge of this platform and thank you in advance for your ideas. I have my own ideas but always prefer them challenged for a better result.
 
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I have an absolutely stunning 4x2x2 in which currently houses 2 freakishly cute red ear sliders a salvani they have accepted as their own and a small group of tiger barbs . It’s an eccentric/motley crew but everyone is pretty tight. The turtles have matured a bit and are moving into a 200 gallon turtle enclosure, the salvani is getting into a single species tank. I always wanted to have a Geo tank, I am drawn to the colors and personalities. I am hoping to put together a balanced environment and am asking for some advice on stocking and set up.

I appreciate the collective knowledge of this platform and thank you in advance for your ideas. I have my own ideas but always prefer them challenged for a better result.





Depending on on the tds of your tap water and PH a few Geophagus species are very susceptible to HITH disease especially of very hard water and high Nitrate. Some members with species from soft water use R/O units. I personally struggled with keeping Geophagus due to PH of 7.8.
 
I agree with Rocksor, if your water is hard, then it would be best to choose those geophagines native to hard water.
Gymnogeophagus are a great suggestion, as are the Geophagus from west of the Andes (such as pellegrini, steindachner i, and crassilabrus). The species from the softer waters of the Amazon region tend to suffer as they age in hard water.
Also those of the Geophagus braziliensus group would do well in hard water.
They are tougher and I have a feeling your Salvinia would shred less robust Geos.
Below Geo iporaguense of the braziliensus group, as you can see, quite resilient aggression wise.

Some of the Gymnogeophagines below

above "quilero", below Paso Pache

Below balzani

and as Rocksor said, the Gymnogeophagus are a more temperate species, needing winter cool downs, so suffer in constant temp, tropical temps
 
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This can be a big question, depending on your focus.

Geos are a fairly diverse group, even more so if you include relatives and similar fish, like Satanoperca. Within the Geophagus genus itself are a diversity of species and location variants. G. brasiliensis types are beefy and somewhat belligerent, many expect them to ultimately be reclassified as their own genus, hasn't happened yet. What people call "suriname types" are a number similar looking and behaving species of widely varying size, with varying color patterns, typically some combination of red to orange, green, blue, turquoise, and generally similar temperament and behavior, some more feisty than others between themselves or with other fish, but generally you'd keep them with milder species. Most are pairing cichlids, except steindachneri and its close relatives, which are harem breeders.

Then there are the Gymongeophagus, cool water fish, most need a cool down from their normal temps to simulate their winter, so no heaters needed.

Nearly all appreciate or need soft substrate like sand. Temps vary, most suriname types like mid or upper 70s to low 80s. pH varies, including among suriname types. Some do come from soft water, lower pH, but not all. Some come from neutral or higher pH, with no problem with a bit of moderate hardness. There are a good number you can keep in pH almost anywhere in the 7s.

Most like to be in groups as babies and juvies, quite often as adults they don't mind either way ime, especially breeding pairs-- excepting Steinys, as mentioned above.

Many will fit a 125, with some exceptions, some, like G. altifrons, should really should have larger tanks as adults. All of which leaves some questions imo. What's your water like, are you thinking of a species tank or a community, what other fish are you considering, etc.
 
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I agree with Rocksor, if your water is hard, then it would be best to choose those geophagines native to hard water.
Gymnogeophagus are a great suggestion, as are the Geophagus from west of the Andes (such as pellegrini, steindachner i, and crassilabrus). The species from the softer waters of the Amazon region tend to suffer as they age in hard water.
Also those of the Geophagus braziliensus group would do well in hard water.
They are tougher and I have a feeling your Salvinia would shred less robust Geos.
Below Geo iporaguense of the braziliensus group, as you can see, quite resilient aggression wise.

Some of the Gymnogeophagines below

above "quilero", below Paso Pache

Below balzani

and as Rocksor said, the Gymnogeophagus are a more temperate species, needing winter cool downs, so suffer in constant temp, tropical temps

Thank you so much. You always provide detailed and well thought out responses. The salvani is going into a 75 with his own kind I love this fish but he is far to aggressive for most. He and the turtles get along quite well but it was always intended as a temporary grow out until a more suitable tank was ready for the turtles. I am going to think long and hard on what species of Geo I want to end up with providing soft water is not a problem as I have RO access thru out my house.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
This can be a big question, depending on your focus.

Geos are a fairly diverse group, even more so if you include relatives and similar fish, like Satanoperca. Within the Geophagus genus itself are a diversity of species and location variants. G. brasiliensis types are beefy and somewhat belligerent, many expect them to ultimately be reclassified as their own genus, hasn't happened yet. What people call "suriname types" are a number similar looking and behaving species of widely varying size, with varying color patterns, typically some combination of red to orange, green, blue, turquoise, and generally similar temperament and behavior, some more feisty than others between themselves or with other fish, but generally you'd keep them with milder species. Most are pairing cichlids, except steindachneri and its close relatives, which are harem breeders.

Then there are the Gymongeophagus, cool water fish, most need a cool down from their normal temps to simulate their winter, so no heaters needed.

Nearly all appreciate or need soft substrate like sand. Temps vary, most suriname types like mid or upper 70s to low 80s. pH varies, including among suriname types. Some do come from soft water, lower pH, but not all. Some come from neutral or higher pH, with no problem with a bit of moderate hardness. There are a good number you can keep in pH almost anywhere in the 7s.

Most like to be in groups as babies and juvies, quite often as adults they don't mind either way ime, especially breeding pairs-- excepting Steinys, as mentioned above.

Many will fit a 125, with some exceptions, some, like G. altifrons, should really should have larger tanks as adults. All of which leaves some questions imo. What's your water like, are you thinking of a species tank or a community, what other fish are you considering, etc.

Great info...Luckily my set up allows me some flexibility. Tap is on the higher side in regards to quality and I have whole house RO access. I am thinking it would probably be better to be on the specie tank side.
 
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