As the title suggests, I am trying to figure out what the optimal number of altifrons I should have in my tank to disperse aggression. Currently I have 5 (planned for 6 but one arrived DOA) in a 600g tank with some large predator fish such as Pbass, Stingray, and an Arowana. Surprisingly, the Altifrons are the most aggressive fish in my tank, especially with each other. I am planning on adding more but the question is how many to keep them from fighting? I have read online that it is best to have a group of 6-8, however it does not mention if having more is better. Anyways, if anybody has ever kept a large group of them, I would greatly appreciate any information as to how aggressive they would be in a group of 8-10. Thanks!
Geophagus altifrons proper group size?
- Thread starter DIFish
- Start date
What size or age are they and how long have they been in the tank? Do you have sand? Do you know how many males/females?
I've kept smaller groups (4-6) of altifrons, larger groups of other geos, and have also seen peaceful groups of 8, 10, 12 or more altifrons. So I don't know that there's an optimal rule, other than 6 or more typically favors less aggression. If they're a new group or new in the tank they may be sorting out status within the group. I've had females fuss over available males (in more than one geo species), had pairs, especially new pairs, do some fussing with each other, and had courting pairs and pairs protecting fry chase other fish, including others in their group, but none of this has typically been serious ime.
I've kept smaller groups (4-6) of altifrons, larger groups of other geos, and have also seen peaceful groups of 8, 10, 12 or more altifrons. So I don't know that there's an optimal rule, other than 6 or more typically favors less aggression. If they're a new group or new in the tank they may be sorting out status within the group. I've had females fuss over available males (in more than one geo species), had pairs, especially new pairs, do some fussing with each other, and had courting pairs and pairs protecting fry chase other fish, including others in their group, but none of this has typically been serious ime.
The tank is completely open to give maximum room to other larger fish. Such as the an aro and ray. I have thought about adding something towards the center, but was hoping that more fish would solve the problem. Here are some pictures from a bit back. Notice the tail in the 2nd (blue) picture vs the tail in the 3rd (red) one. This was about a month after I noticed one of the smaller ones chasing the big guy. In addition to the fraying, I often see them with shortened streamers.
I understand the need for open space for your other fish but I think it's the problem right there. They are staring at each other all the time and will just chase. Doesn't look like too much damage though and something has got to give... I would add a lot more DW to the tank.
Btw you may have multiple species and none of them looks like G. altifrons.
Btw you may have multiple species and none of them looks like G. altifrons.
They have been in the tank for over a year, I have no idea how to sex geos and it seems as though they are hard hard to sex in general. I might try getting a few more and adding a piece or two of Driftwood in the middle of the tank and see those two things in combination might help. Thanks for the help guys, and I would be very interested in finding out what they are if they are not altifrons haha. I bought them in two different sets both listed as Altifrons, however if this is not the case then I guess I have to figure out how large they grow.
I think you'll still likely have aggression issues even if you add to the group. I only say that because the larger surinamensoid-type geos tend to be pretty boisterous and rough at their full size, especially among conspecifics. More driftwood or barriers/structures will probably help but I'm sure they'll still give chase when they spot each other.
I recently saw some massive 11" altifrons at a local LFS. They were in the owner's private tank at home and he said they were starting to absolutely destroy each other, so he brought them all to his store for sale. He showed me his tank and it was pretty heavily decorated with wood and plants, and yet they still were roughing each other up fairly bad. I was going to suggest tank size might be an issue but if you have a 600g that's definitely not it. lol
I recently saw some massive 11" altifrons at a local LFS. They were in the owner's private tank at home and he said they were starting to absolutely destroy each other, so he brought them all to his store for sale. He showed me his tank and it was pretty heavily decorated with wood and plants, and yet they still were roughing each other up fairly bad. I was going to suggest tank size might be an issue but if you have a 600g that's definitely not it. lol
Wow that guy is thick. Yeah I was definitely surprised with the aggression, hopefully by breaking up the tank and adding a few more I can avoid having to give them up. Sad to hear he had to take them out of his personal tank. They make a stunning dither fish and I would really like to hold on to mine if possible.
That's the same as my experience. Doesn't make it mutually exclusive to what ryansmith said, which could also be true in some cases, meaning it might vary and depend on the individual fish or the particular group, which is true of some other cichlids you can keep in groups, Cyphotilapia, for example. Imo, if they're different species that might be also be a factor. But it can be different things with different groups or tanks ime.
My experience with suriname type geos has been reasonably consistent-- so far-- but broadly speaking I've found with cichlids that individual fish, tanks, or groups can vary. I've seen this with a variety of cichlid species and imo this is just one of the factors that can account for why one person says a species is peaceful and another says they're not.