Geophagus Proximus

[FishKing5]

I

A good friend is keeping a group of six G. sveni and 10 altums in a 240 right now with no issues, other than the fact that sveni are very aggressive eaters. Just make sure the altums are getting enough food.

may actually doing a very similar tank. I am growing out a group of 6 sveni with a group of Guianacara along with some altum angels for my 220 gallon. All fish are small but should be an amazing tank once they're grown. Doing a nice amazon biotope too with it

 

[Lilyann]

Ive had some suggest that the proximus may be too aggressive and get too large for this setup ( compatibility with the other fish in tank/size of tank). I have seen varied maximum size for this variety- from the maximum of 8 inches- 10" . I wish I could find a more definitive number.
So, I may reconsider doing a smaller geophagus like the sveni...

 

[FishKing5]

Ive had some suggest that the proximus may be too aggressive and get too large for this setup ( compatibility with the other fish in tank/size of tank). I have seen varied maximum size for this variety- from the maximum of 8 inches- 10" . I wish I could find a more definitive number.
So, I may reconsider doing a smaller geophagus like the sveni...

Sveni still get up to 12 inches not including their trailers. I honestly see no problem with your setup whatsoever. I'm going for a very similar setup. Just raise the fish together and they will be fine. There's never a for sure great way for raising cichlids. I honestly see no problem with your plan especially since the geophagus will be at the bottom the whole time anyways. Sveni are the most attractive geophagus anyways so you might as well just go with them either way

 

[Lilyann]

Any one else have suggestions about adding the Altums before the geophagus?
Or, would it be better to let the tank get established? Thank you.

 

[ryansmith83]

I don’t think it will matter in a tank that size. Chances are the altums will be skittish in a large tank with very few tankmates.

Most surinamensoid-type geos are going to reach 6 - 10” so a small group shouldn’t be a problem in a 6’ tank.

 

[Lilyann]

Okay, thank you for your input. I will stick to the original plan then, adding the geophagus and then the Altums a month or so later.

 

[neutrino]

I don’t think it will matter in a tank that size. Chances are the altums will be skittish in a large tank with very few tankmates.

Most surinamensoid-type geos are going to reach 6 - 10” so a small group shouldn’t be a problem in a 6’ tank.

Pretty much what I was thinking.

There's always a random element of individual fish and temperament, so as mentioned above, not many combinations are 100% predictable, but I've seen geos and altums, altums and discus, geos and discus (actually I've had geos and discus together). Throw in severums as well, and they're generally compatible combinations in a suitably sized tank from what I've seen or done. Geos and angels don't typically directly compete for space or territory (ime you might get pairs of each liking a particular spot to spawn, but I've had them work this out without a major crisis), geos tend to orient toward the middle/bottom and angels tend to orient to the middle/top of the tank, this and their different shapes tends to make them complementary more often than aggressive toward each other in a suitably sized tank, at least ime.

Had a tank once where a large female gold pearlscale angelfish (haven't seen these in years, what they used to call dinner plate size, an exaggeration, but they were big) and a male of the early pigeon blood discus bossed the tank but were peaceful with each other. Not the fish I expected predict to boss that tank, especially the discus, but you never know.

 

[Lilyann]

Well, I switched gears and decided on getting the sveni instead of the proximus. Ordered 6 for delivery on Wednesday from TUIC.

 

[Naos1984]

I'm keeping proximus right now. They're under the proximoid group so I'd say they grow to 12" like their cousin, the winemilleri. If you'll go with svenis, that should be okay as well. They're more colorful and more brightly colored than the proximus but both are still wonderful fish. Svenis grow a little smaller than the proximus. I have 6 proximus while my 2 svenis Rio Araguia are still in the growout. They'll be moving to my 360 gallons soon.