Geophagus Balaniii Care Info?

[Kayarisha]

My lfs just posted pictures of this guy on their facebook page and I was wondering if anyone had some information on it? I tried googling it and i really didn't find anything substantial. Thanks!

This is the picture he posted:



Just realized I put one too many 'i's in the title sorry about that lol.

 

[Royaldoa]

My experience with them; My male isn't aggressive with my other geos, mine has no "hump" due to no female in the tank, mine keeps to himself and is quite peaceful overall. I also have sand instead of gravel so that he and my other geos can sift it. I heard of lowering the temp for 4 months or something, to replicate their natural environment, but you'd have to do more research on that, I keep my temp at 78-80 and he is ok with it. I also have a UV in my tank because I've read they are prone to Hole in the head (HITH) as are most South Americans and Centrals.

 

[gnuisance]

Thats a gymnogeo and they do much better at lower temps, like high 60s

 

[Kayarisha]

He wouldn't be good in my tank then. Thank you for your input guys!

 

[duanes]

Gymnogeophagus balzani. They are a subtropical species and require a bit of a cool down period to be in top form. I keep others of the genus without heaters, and put many in my pond spring thru late fall.

Water temps drop into the low 50sF, with no ill effect. Their color improves dramatically after a cool down and seems to jump start breeding in the ponds once the temp warms up.

 

[Allan01230]

As was stated they are gymnogeophagus species. They do require a 3 month or so cool down period with temps in the low sixties. They will start to look listless if they don't get this cool down period. Mine seemed to hide all the time so I traded a friend for some vieja cichlids.