Gymnogeophagus balzanii in temperature below 40 f

[The Masked Shadow]

I WANT A POND LIKE THAT

 

[jjohnwm]

What a perfect time for me to find this thread! I've been looking for G.balzani for ages, finally picked up 6 youngsters (1.25 inches) just about a week ago. They are growing out on their own now, but the eventual plan is to house them in a 360gallon in my basement which will be around 55-60F during the winter and up around 70+ during the summer. I also keep several stock tanks outside in the summer and will be playing with those as well.

My one below-ground pond is only 3 feet deep maximum, and freezes solid each winter for several months. Won't be overwintering any Corydoras, Gymnos or anything else in there...

That is a beautiful set-up you have there!

 

[Justepic]

Not a huge surprise. Seems like fish from the south are more accustomed to a temperate climate. The few cichlids form Uruguay I've kept were very tolerant of temps ranging from 4-35*

Which cichlids are those from Uruguay?

 

[jjohnwm]

Lots of Gymnogeophagus species, also apparently some Crenicichla pikes and others. Bolivian rams as well. Some Apistogrammas, don't recall which offhand; borelli, I think; and agassizi and cacatuoides, maybe?

 

[duanes]

Which cichlids are those from Uruguay?

Here are a few of the Uruguayans I've kept, beside the balzani.
Australoheros sp. Red Ceibal

above spawning colors, below normal

Below Gymnogeophahus sp Paso Pache

Below Gymnogeophagus quiilero.

Crenicichla saxatillis sp Uruguay

 

[marpol]

I bought today 3 more Balzanii , very young fish - 3-4 cm , next week I will get another 3

 

[phreeflow]

Lots of Gymnogeophagus species, also apparently some Crenicichla pikes and others. Bolivian rams as well. Some Apistogrammas, don't recall which offhand; borelli, I think; and agassizi and cacatuoides, maybe?

Wow, Thanks for sharing! I had no idea that Balzani or peppered cories can handle those temps. Do you know if any of the other cories can handle such temps and are those cichlids listed above also capable? Like those apistos?

 

[MatteoTheEnder22]

Beautiful fish you got Balzaniis are one of my all time favorite cichlids.
P phreeflow you should ask duanes he is one of the only people I know that has an extensive amount of knowledge on cichlids, especially temperate ones.

 

[jjohnwm]

duanes twigged me to the cichlids from Uruguay and neighbouring southerly locales in South America, for which I am very grateful. I had been interested in G.balzani for years, and became moreso thanks to him. I finally was able to get my hands on 6 of them recently, at around 3cm size. They are still in a growout tank but are doing extremely well, although somewhat shy. Also got 3 G.rhabdotus, a bit bigger, hopefully to eventually share a 360gallon with the balzanis.

Corydoras paleatus is great in cooler water. Not sure if any of the more common Corys equal its hardiness, but I just got 6 specimens of what was labelled as Bearded Corydoras, as they are supposedly just as cold-hardy as paleatus. It was recently changed from Corydoras barbatus to Scleromystax barbatus. Apparently gets around 4 inches, and is a really nicely-marked attractive fish.

 

[phreeflow]

duanes twigged me to the cichlids from Uruguay and neighbouring southerly locales in South America, for which I am very grateful. I had been interested in G.balzani for years, and became moreso thanks to him. I finally was able to get my hands on 6 of them recently, at around 3cm size. They are still in a growout tank but are doing extremely well, although somewhat shy. Also got 3 G.rhabdotus, a bit bigger, hopefully to eventually share a 360gallon with the balzanis.

Corydoras paleatus is great in cooler water. Not sure if any of the more common Corys equal its hardiness, but I just got 6 specimens of what was labelled as Bearded Corydoras, as they are supposedly just as cold-hardy as paleatus. It was recently changed from Corydoras barbatus to Scleromystax barbatus. Apparently gets around 4 inches, and is a really nicely-marked attractive fish.

Thanks for the detailed response. This opens up a whole new realm of fish keeping. So is it safe to say most fish from Uruguay and Paraguay can handle big cool downs? How about Argentina?