Geophagus questions -- surinamensis vs. jurupari

[Kinbote]

Hey everyone, I'm hoping someone can answer a couple of questions I have.

There's a fish sold in New Zealand that's labeled as geophagus jurupari, which I think is actually a satanoperca leucosticta; perhaps someone knows better than me. Failing someone's more informed opinion, I'll assume it is the satanoperca leucosticta and ask my second question.

I've read conflicting reports in different books on the size of the geophagus surinamensis and the leucosticta/jurupari. I'm hoping someone who owns one or both can let me know how big they actually get, and give an opinion on which is better looking as an adult.

Thanks.

 

[Kalen]

The fish in question would be Satanoperca Jurupari, and both of these grow to be around 10 inches. As for appearance, I personally find the Surinamensis to be more striking, but the Jurupari is a beautiful fish as well. Your best bet would be to just google some pictures and see which you prefer.

Cool plague doctor avatar btw.

 

[Zeppelin3k]

Heres the one i have, its 8.5-9" and about 5 years old. i would say close to maxed out

Hes not aggressive towards my other fish. usually just putting sand and rocks in his mouth. The pic doesnt do him justice because he has alot more blue and its brighter(In the fins too). They are a great fish IMO. Easy to feed as well

 

[abarilot]

All the Satanoperca species used to be in the Geophagus genius but were moved some years ago. You will still find fish mislabeled for sale as Geophagus jurupari. Also eartheaters are often put into mislabeled groups. Like the picture of the fish above will often be label as S. jurupari when in fact its a S. leucosticta. Or fish labeled as G. surinamensis are 99.9% never true surinamensis but G. abalios, G. altifrons, or another eartheater. If you want a positive ID on any of your fish you post pics and MFK members will be able to tell you the species of Earth Eater you have. Btw all the above fish I mentioned will max out in the 10-12" range. Cheers!

 

[David R]

The "surinamensis" are altifrons, I have two different varieties in my 1400L, and the "jurupari" are S. leucosticta. Not sure about their max size, but I'd say at least 7-8" for a male, a little smaller than the altifrons but not by much.

As for which looks better, completely a matter of opinion! I used to prefer the altifrons but I'm getting sick of people asking me if they're snapper (here's a link to the local NZ snapper for those overseas who probably haven't seen them) and kinda wish I had a group of leucos instead!

 

[Kinbote]

Thanks to everyone who's answered so far, especially David for clarifying the NZ species.

I've done a little googling and sites are recommending 70 - 80% weekly water changes for both species. Seems excessive. What does everyone here do?

 

[ryansmith83]

I would say that's reasonable. I do at least 50% weekly water changes on my tanks, but in all actuality it's usually more like 80%... I drain the tanks down to just above the fish themselves. A lot of it will depend on your tank size, filtration, and how the tank is stocked.

Either way, Geos need good water quality and I've read the same about Satanoperca, and the best way to ensure that is with regular water changes.

 

[Kinbote]

I would say that's reasonable. I do at least 50% weekly water changes on my tanks, but in all actuality it's usually more like 80%... I drain the tanks down to just above the fish themselves. A lot of it will depend on your tank size, filtration, and how the tank is stocked.

Either way, Geos need good water quality and I've read the same about Satanoperca, and the best way to ensure that is with regular water changes.

I've got a 205 gallon blackwater tank, and my tapwater's about a 7.6 pH, so it's more or less completely unfeasible to do even a 50% weekly water change. :/

 

[JK47]

I've got a 205 gallon blackwater tank, and my tapwater's about a 7.6 pH, so it's more or less completely unfeasible to do even a 50% weekly water change. :/

Welcome to the wonderful world of RO filters and aging tanks/barrels. I do 50% WC's weekly using this approach, its extra work but it not that bad.. IME most all species (especially spotted) of Satanoperca are more sensitive to water quality than the larger species of Geophagus.

 

[Kinbote]

Welcome to the wonderful world of RO filters and aging tanks/barrels. I do 50% WC's weekly using this approach, its extra work but it not that bad.. IME most all species (especially spotted) of Satanoperca are more sensitive to water quality than the larger species of Geophagus.

That's pretty hardcore, man. I don't have the money or the space, so I guess that rules out geos and satanopercas.