Geophagus Steindachneri

[MFM]

Maybe I will consider doing that. The tank is an 80 growout. I have Cichla and severums in the tank already and they are pretty small.

 

[Aasikki]

They are ready for breed around 3" yes, when the male has started to gow his red hump

 

[Aasikki]

They are ready for breed around 3" yes, when the males red hump has started to grow.

 

[unkle_billy]

mine have bred much smaller than that. I have 1 male 1 female. I keep them together until the female is holding and separate her. when the fry are self sufficient she goes back with the male to continue the cycle. I started with 2 females but the male constantly beat up one of them. Eventually the beat up one accidentally got sucked up into a powerhead and died. My 1:1 ratio works fine but I hear it's not suppose to. Fish are not so cut and dry. As far as sand. They love it but it won't kill them to be with out it. Do you wanna give em what they love?

 

[Toby_H]

I have a female heavy group of about 30 Steinies in my 125 gal with a pair of Dempseys, a pair of Elliots and a BGK... I love this set up...

At all times I have between 3~10 females holding fry in their mouthes, but I never see free swimming fry. My tank is simply to densely stocked for fry to be safe. Occasionally I strip fry from the mothers and raise them seperately...

I agree with the general advice you have received thus far. They sift sand constantly all day. My larger males butt heads a little but I have never had "aggression issues" in the 2 years I've had this group together...