Geophagus Surinamensis

[JustinDavis]

I was visiting Petco and noticed they were selling Geophagus Surinamensis all around 3-4inches for $19.99 each, I was wondering if this is a fair price? Also what's the tank size for a pair of these guys? And how do you sex them? (Pics please!)

Thanks,
Justin

 

[jcardona1]

From what I've read this is a really rare species, and are hard to find. Most of the time they're mislabeled and end up being something else, Altifrons maybe?

 

[JustinDavis]

I don't have a picture now but I will get one next time I visit, they weren't very colorful mostly tan with some blue on them. They looked pretty stressed since they were in a 15G with 10 other Firemouths + the other 5 Geos.

 

[EarthEaterBob]

I highly doubt its Geophagus Surinamensis, a much rarer and expensive species. I assume spotted patterns on the tail? If so its probably Geophagus Altifrons which I've heard petsmarts (in America ;P) stock.
Generally females are smaller and having shorter fin extensions, though its hard to sex without them breeding first. Males also develop a slight nuchal hump.
I would think around a 70 Gallon would be fine for a group of these since they get to 12". That is a fair price...but I would imagine they are of poor quality.

Male

Female

 

[ryansmith83]

They are often mislabeled altifrons. It's best to keep Geos in groups. You could see aggression issues if you only have two fish. I'd do a bare minimum of four, but six would be better. You could start growing them out in a 55 but they'll need to be upgraded because a group of altifrons can reach a good size.

 

[abarilot]

99.9% of Geophagus surinamensis sold are going to be different species of Geo, like G. altifrons, abalios, dicrozoster, etc. The way I look at it when I see it in the store is this is the "type" of Geophagus, with there being 3 "types": surinamensis (altifrons, abalios, dicrozoster, etc.), brasiliensis and Red Hump (usually steindachneri). The easiest way to avoid the guessing game is to buy from reputable dealer/person. I used to have an awesome article that explained everything but I lost it somewhere down the road.

As for tank size I'd have a 120g (or bigger) with a group of at least 5.

 

[JustinDavis]

Stopped by Petco on the way home and they were labeled "Satanoperca Jurupari", whats the tank size of these guys?

Sorry about the cruddy cell phone pics didn't realize how bad they were til I got home

 

[peathenster]

They are not S. jurupari. Hard to say for sure but they look like G. abalios. They are going to be 8"+. A group of 6 should be OK in a 125.

 

[JustinDavis]

Thanks for the tips Peathenster!