Geophagus altifrons + tetras, which species have worked for you?

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David R

David R

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Apr 26, 2005
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Basically as-per the title, with my arowana gone I'm looking at adding a group of tetras to my tank, but I'm a bit worried about the larger altifrons picking them off. Obviously smaller species like cardinals are out, but what mid-sized species have people had success with? Wondering if lemons or serpae will be big enough, or perhaps columbians? Ideally I'd like something that schools well too.
 
I had Buenos Aires with mine with no issues.

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I don't think altifrons are much of a threat to any small fish, so most any tetra would be safe...even Cardinals.
 
I can't this altifrons would prey on any small tetras... I have some left over black tetras in with 10 inch geophagus abalios and satanoperca lucasticta with no issues at all. They are about the same size as cardinals so I think anything would be safe.
Why did you have to remove the arro?
I followed your build from start to finish any chance of a few up to date pics?


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notho2000 said:
I don't think altifrons are much of a threat to any small fish, so most any tetra would be safe...even Cardinals.
Click to expand...

I'm not so sure, certainly not sure enough to risk cardinals at the price the LFS charges for them! A friend has had bad experiences with rummy noses and neons not lasting more than one night with his group of altifrons, and then there's this; http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...aters-they-don-t-only-eat-earth-Unfortunately

That said, later in that thread Japes went on to point out that many people do have success keeping smaller tetras with larger eartheaters, which is why I was asking more for individuals success stories than generic suggestions based on size/shape. I doubt they're active predators, but they are still cichlids and if given the opportunity I'm sure a hungry altifrons would gladly swallow a smaller tetra. Ideally I'd move on my remaining large geos and start again with a group of younger ones at the same time as adding the tetras, but I really can't be bothered pulling the entire tank to pieces to try catch them!

PJ, update here; http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...pdate-(cross-post-from-Set-Up-amp-Filtration)
I didn't "have to" remove the aro, but I havent bought a single fish in close to two years (probably the longest break in over fifteen years!) and with our limited selection of fish in NZ the aro was just too big a restriction on what I could keep. If I was in the US or Europe I'd have added some smaller pikes, replaced the altifrons with G. winemilleri, added some uaru, H. severus, Hoplarchus, and perhaps some Satanoperca and kept the arowana (or perhaps true Altum angels, or ....). But since none of them are available here, I've decided to get rid of the aro to allow me to add a heap more driftwood and a bunch of little fish. I'm going to add a group of sterbai corys, the tetras, more angels, and maybe a few more cichlids depending on what becomes available in the future.
 
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