Geos and Chocolate cichlid compatibility

[Cookie*]

I have been thinking about getting some Geos for my 90 gallon tank in the spring. I have a 9" Chocolate cichlid that is still growing in there now, and would like to add the Geos in with him. I like the Threadfin and Orange head Tapajos sp.?. I'm wondering if adding in some Geos at that point can be accomplished because of the choco cichlids size and being he will have had that tank to himself for about 5 months by spring.

It will be a while before getting fish to add to the tank, but I really want to hear from some other geo or chocolate cichlid owners for their opinions and experiences. I am set on adding a bottom feeder and want something other than a pleco, catfish or loach. My other thought was to try a large shoal of larger cories, but I feel like my fish would just eat or chase them. But, I like that idea too.

Geos are just gorgeous to me and I feel they may be better suited than cories, but I don't know too much about the different kinds and sizes and personality differences. The 2 geos I mentioned are the ones that I find visually appealing. If I choose geos I will likely look for 2-3 fish, 1 male to a female or a male and 2 females. If they breed I will likely either sell the fry or vacuum up eggs if the fry becomes too much. But, it may be that 10-20 cories will suit me better, I don't know yet.

I'm sure most of you have seen my tank posted before, too, but here is a pic of how it looks now. I will likely be taking out the wood on the right before adding more fish and replacing it hopefully with something more natural/cool looking. I'm also open to suggestions on the tank as to what I would need to do when adding geos if I do.

View attachment 571749

 

[hamfist]

I have had recent experience of adding various fish to a tank with my choc, who is the biggest fish in the tank.

he has been much more territorial with fish more similar to his own shape. eg. severum and blue acara.

I have also added geos ( S.leucosticta and G.steindachneri) and he almost ignores them. I suppose as they stick to a different zone of the tank and are a very different shape to him.

Surinamensis-complex geos and heckelli are slightly more a "traditional" cichlid shape, so it's possible that he might see them as a threat, but I suspect not. Definately worth a try !

BTW, your tank looks nicely set up for eartheaters.

 

[floridagar]

chocolate chiclids are less aggressive so geos do work thats what i have been told on a thread i started earlier. but knowing the choco chiclid will be alone in the tank he may become aggressive and bully or fin nip. Im not to sure on this one i think that someone probably can point this out on a flaw if i am wrong but im pretty sure that you are able to mix them with no problems. Other than that the red heads and tapajos and jurapari, are fine together. I have them in my 125 together and they are all fine. They dont fin nip just chase away from a certain spot they like. But i think they are awesome fish as well, They are quite a site to see work around the tank since they are constantly active and sifting up the sand. One thing to put into perspective is dont put live plants in the tank unless you like replanting alot. Because they tare out the roots from the sand and the plants do start to float. You can if you put rocks on the roots or in between the stems of the plants. Thats just to keep them down and they may avoid going after the roots of the plant.

Things which i can see in your tank as of the picture are fine they are hearty fish. And best choice of a substrate is sand for the geos which can also be called earth
eaters and you will see them sifting the sand around the tank which is always fun to watch. Good Luck!!

 

[Cookie*]

Thanks for the replies.

In the 55 gallon I grew the Chocolate cichlid out in (from 3"-7"), there was a 2" Botia Striata loach which he never bothered, and a 6" L91. The pleco and him never got along for some reason. He would always go after the pleco if he came from under the rocks. I couldn't figure out why the Chocolate cichlid would go after the larger of the two tankmates. The pleco was black with orange tips on his tail if that makes a difference.

I would like to get a large shoal of cories, but a) I don't think they would work with a Chocolate cichlid, and b) the Geos I assume would display much more personality and be prettier. If I went with Geos or Cories, would I need to put in any caves or would more driftwood suffice?

 

[hamfist]

If I went with Geos or Cories, would I need to put in any caves or would more driftwood suffice?

They wouldn't need it, as such, unless they needed hiding places from the choc.

 

[Cookie*]

Ok, cool. Thank you, again.

I was just reading up on some of the different types of Geos and someone recommended Gymnogeos to someone else with a smaller tank than mine, and said the Gymnogeos tend to get only 4-5". Are Gymnogeos as colorful as geos? How are they in personality, like a cory or a geo/cichlid? I consider a cichlid to be more intelligent and personable, and usually recognize it's owner and/or come out to beg for food.

I did look for answers online about Gymnogeos but did not find too much info other than pics. I have read more threads with people having Geos with Chocolates so I feel good about that. Still kinda playing with idea of Geo Tapajos, some type of Gymnogeophagus or large cories. Whatever fish I do choose I want to be a hearty and easy to take care of fish, too.

 

[ryansmith83]

A lot of Gymnogeophagus require a cool-down period which your chocolate won't appreciate. There are smaller Geos out there, like G. pindare and G. parnaibe. I have my chocolate cichlid in a 150 gallon tank with severums, G. parnaibe, and G. sp. 'orange heads'. The chocolate doesn't think twice about any of them really. It's one of my most passive fish.

Yours has been alone for quite a while now, so your biggest issue will be with the fish becoming territorial. He does look a bit lonely in that tank, though. If I were you, I'd set up a smaller tank, like a 40 breeder, and move him to that while you acclimate the Geos to the 90 gallon. After a week or so of them eating well and getting settled, move the chocolate back to the tank. I don't think you'll have any problems.

 

[japes]

As most people have said, Chocolates will pretty much ignore anything other than conspecifics unless breeding. I also kept a Chocolate in with rather small Corydoras panda and was initially concerned about him seeing them as food and damaging himself, but he completely ignored them.

My only concern, granted I'd suggest a minimum of four Eartheaters of a single species be introduced, is the eventual stocking on the tank as things grow. In my opinion, Chocolate Cichlids get too big for a 90G. Not only can they reach 12"/30cm, but they'll be a good 2"/5cm+ wide at that stage - they're a big fish with a big appetite.

 

[hamfist]

If I were you, I'd set up a smaller tank, like a 40 breeder, and move him to that while you acclimate the Geos to the 90 gallon. After a week or so of them eating well and getting settled, move the chocolate back to the tank. I don't think you'll have any problems.

+1 if you have the tankspace to do this.

 

[Cookie*]

A lot of Gymnogeophagus require a cool-down period which your chocolate won't appreciate. There are smaller Geos out there, like G. pindare and G. parnaibe. I have my chocolate cichlid in a 150 gallon tank with severums, G. parnaibe, and G. sp. 'orange heads'. The chocolate doesn't think twice about any of them really. It's one of my most passive fish.

Yours has been alone for quite a while now, so your biggest issue will be with the fish becoming territorial. He does look a bit lonely in that tank, though. If I were you, I'd set up a smaller tank, like a 40 breeder, and move him to that while you acclimate the Geos to the 90 gallon. After a week or so of them eating well and getting settled, move the chocolate back to the tank. I don't think you'll have any problems.

Thanks, Ryan, I appreciate the input. I did come across that while reading about Gymnogeophagus, about needing a winter period. That immediately rules them out. And, I like the idea of taking the Chocolate out of the 90g temporarily while letting some geos adjust to the tank. I'm still not sure which route I will go as far as picking out fish. I might be leaning more towards some cories at this point.

I agree with Japes saying that a 90g is even small for a Chocolate. A 90g is sufficient for a single chocolate as far as depth and so on, but the bio-load they put out is near unmatched. I'm not sure if adding more fish is the right way to go now. I was set on keeping it a single a single Chocolate cichlid to the 90g tank, but now I feel kinda bad for my fish in there all alone (not that he really seems to mind it, but can I really tell?). Japes mentioned having some success with the cories in with a Chocolate, maybe I should just try a small shoal of them to keep the bottom clean. I'm not so sure about adding 4 4-6" minimum Geo fish into the mix. Perhaps 6-7 cories will suffice.

Sorry if the above paragraphs don't make the most sense. I'm sick and kinda all over the place lol, and not about to read it over. But, THANKS for any input everyone!