You could try removing that larger one to a bucket while you rearrange the decor. Then plop him back into a “new” environment and restart the pecking order to see if it has a more peaceful outcome
Geophagus Tapajo Mistake?
- Thread starter EdBar
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You could try removing that larger one to a bucket while you rearrange the decor. Then plop him back into a “new” environment and restart the pecking order to see if it has a more peaceful outcome
Let me give an example.
I keep Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, a very close cousin, and similar size cichlid to your Blue Acara.
I just searched for a recommended tank size, and of course a 55 and 75 gal were considered fine, by a number of those aquarium stocking sites.
3 years ago, a local fishermen caught a dozen Andinoacara for me, with a few local tetras, goby's and pleco.
They were put in a 180 gal tank (probably considered overkill.)
Within the first year, the alpha male killed all other males and number of females, he left himself and 3 females.
This combination has gone well for the last 2 years, BTW, he never bothers non-cichlids.
If I'd used one of the recommended tanks, 1 might be left.
I keep Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, a very close cousin, and similar size cichlid to your Blue Acara.
I just searched for a recommended tank size, and of course a 55 and 75 gal were considered fine, by a number of those aquarium stocking sites.
3 years ago, a local fishermen caught a dozen Andinoacara for me, with a few local tetras, goby's and pleco.
They were put in a 180 gal tank (probably considered overkill.)
Within the first year, the alpha male killed all other males and number of females, he left himself and 3 females.
This combination has gone well for the last 2 years, BTW, he never bothers non-cichlids.
If I'd used one of the recommended tanks, 1 might be left.
Agree.
Tank size discussions can be a matter of opinion, different philosophies, and differing personal experience, especially when the question is: What's the minimum tank size for x species? Sometimes it's based on a lower end max size estimate for a species that's not all that realistic (and sometimes an extra large max size most don't actually attain). I've seen some people say red head geos only get 5 inches, maybe for some they do, but most do (or should) get larger. I bred them and raised many and for me males were mostly between 6.75 and 7.75 inches, females an inch or two smaller, though not everyone gets them to over 7 inches. I tend to be in a middle ground when it comes to minimum tank sizes, but while I might consider a 55 as a temporary juvie grow out tank, my minimum for a group of adult red head geos would be a 75, even if they maxed at 6 inches or less.
--All of which may be a moot point if you're not considering a group in the first place, aside from future reference. But in your case the relevant point is just two red head geos can be hit or miss (not impossible but they do better in groups or as mated pairs) and the behavior of yours so far isn't promising.
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I was thinking of putting the larger in my 10 gallon quarantine tank (currently empty) for a few days and reintroduce but not sure that would work.
It was the behavior of my two acara that lead me to believe two geos would be fine, they pal around all day long and the bigger one looks out for the smaller, I guess acara are more chill than goes or maybe I just got lucky.
As of today things seem to be settling down a bit between the two, with each establishing its territory at opposite ends of the tank, we’ll see where it goes. I want to thank everyone for their helpful suggestions, and appreciate the level of civility on this forum, glad to be a member.
