Gymnogeophagus Tank......

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
House 64

House 64

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jun 26, 2006
1,996
227
96
An island somewhere......
I'm breaking down my Central American Cichlid tank to start up a more tranquil, peaceful community tank of South American's. I'm doing some research and will be placing an order for some Gymnogeophagus and need some "real life" experience and suggestions from fellow SA hobbyists. (Japes, HiImSean, etc.). Here's the short list of what I intend on ordering:

Gymnogeophagus Paso Pache
Gymnogeophagus Australis Rio Urguay
Gymnogeophagus Oli Mar Labiatus

I intend on keeping them in a 270g. (72"x36"x24") aquarium. It will be an unheated tank.... from my research these Gymno's prefer a cooler climate with cooling periods. It'll be an attempt at a carbon copy of Japes new setup. Sand, Wood, Plants, Rock decor.

Suggestions on tank mates that could potential thrive on the water parameters? Any Tetras, Cats, etc? Thanks in advance and I will keep you posted!

Sean
 
Crenicichla minuano are a must!!!!! They are lovely little pike that are very peaceful and do great with gymno's. You could easily do 2-3 pairs in a tank that big I also have a Dimmerus with my gymno's and it works well. I would think Balzani's would be a nice mix up form the others that you chose. I also have some Trachelyichthys exilis. They are great looking little wood cats that like the lower temps. Longear sunfish are also another great option for a tank that size.

This thread has some pictures of the pikes
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231889

Hope that helps some. I haven't found a ton of other fish that work.
 
I was just in Rainbow pets by SGV. They have some rare gymnos but are small. Joey told me to checked that placed out and I wasn't disappointed. They also have some nice tetras and jumbo Clown loach 8-10" but asking too much for my blood.
You can add some otos or panda corys as well.
 
jgentry;3011229; said:
Crenicichla minuano are a must! Dimmerus with my gymno's and it works well. I would think Balzani's would be a nice mix up form the others that you chose. I also have some Trachelyichthys exilis. They are great looking little wood cats that like the lower temps. Longear sunfish are also another great option for a tank that size.

This thread has some pictures of the pikes
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231889

Hope that helps some. I haven't found a ton of other fish that work.
Click to expand...

JGentry.... are the Minuanos, Dimmerus and sunfish also lower temp fish? I was eyeballing the Minuanos before, a vendor here has some in stock.

warfrik;3011285; said:
They also have some nice tetras and jumbo Clown loach 8-10" but asking too much for my blood.
You can add some otos or panda corys as well.
Click to expand...

Yeah, still doing research on lower temp fish to add.... Clowns are out.
 
The pikes and dimmerus are both form Uruguay (spelling?) and live in the same waters as gymno's. I got my pair of minuano from fishfarm. The sunfish are from the US and do great in the lower temps as well. I'm not a tetra buff so I don't really have much advise there, but I'm sure there are plenty that would work. The Sunfish and pikes might eat them if they are not fairly high bodied though.
 
The fish that you list are all from Uruguay but from very different parts of the country / habitats. Constitucion is pretty far north (and west and warmer) while Olimar is east and Paso Pache is South (central and cooler).

It would be AWESOME to do a, for example, Paso Pache tank.

In a given habitat there is generally a mouthbreeding Gymno (gymnogenys complex) and a substrate spawning one (rhabdotus complex). There is also (except where replaced by an acara) a Chanchito. If I remember correctly, the "authentic" pike to Paso Pache is Cr. scotti.

The mouthbreeding Gymnos can often be found in large groups (like haps or peacocks in Africa). In Paso Pache we found a single monster (5") male under an overhanging tree with about 8-10 holding females. The rhabodtus (ex-meridionalis) from there is found in pairs. We also found knives, livebearers, Hoplias, Charax and other tetras there.

Just throwing out an idea. You could also do a Rio Yi tank...or Rio Cureim...or some other locality in Uruguay...It would just be really cool to do something that's not a mish-mash of all fish Uruguayan :)

Let me know if you're interested and I can provide more complete species lists, pictures of the localities, and other info.

Matt
 
Just let me know if you want a couple of my tapajos orangeheads.... Sounds like a cool idea.
 
dogofwar;3011449; said:
Let me know if you're interested and I can provide more complete species lists, pictures of the localities, and other info.

Matt
Click to expand...

Matt, thanks for your wealth of information! Unfortunately I don't have smaller tanks to dedicate to each variant.... just the large "monster" tank. If you can, please PM or Email me the pictures of the localities and other information that could help me establish a suitable tank for the Gymnos.

fishfarm;3011715; said:
No problem, I'll fill your tank. Ken
Click to expand...

I know you can Ken.... that's the problem! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom