Have an empty cycled 55. Interesting species?

[duanes]

The genus Gymnogeophagus has been in flux because for a while there seemed to be just 2 species in the #2 clade, gymnogenys and labiatus. If you're a lumper, quilero might just be a location variant, or might be considered simply gymnogenys. If you're a splitter there are lots of species.
If you go to the Aqva Terra Uruguay site, where there is tons of info about all the Gymnos and species of Uruguay. Even how you can go on collecting trips there to get them yourself.
An MFK member Ken Davis fishfarm, sets the trips up and helps lead some of them I believe.
I was able to get some rare Uruguayan pike cichlids from him a few years back.

 

[MonsterFishCreeper]

So as far as Geo Tapajos red heads go. If I got some of the 2.5" Rapps has do you think 6 months in the 55 would be bad for a group of 5? What it boils down to is I have a 125 for my Cryptoheros and Im doing a 180 for my SA fish that the Geos would eventually live with. I would prefer to grow them out in another tank anyway so I can more carefully regulate their food and my chocolate cichlid is a pig so he will out compete them badly. I'm more curious at this point on how long I would want to grow them out in the 55 instead of doing a permanent resident in there. I also wouldn't want to put them with my cryptoheros as the tank is very rocky and the little panamensis can be nippy.

 

[Frank Castle]

I agree with Frank, most Geophagus need a much larger tank than a 55 when grown, but Gymnogeophagus especially in gymnogenys or labiatus group remain small enough to live in a 55 for life. The rule I use for myself, is nothing that gets over 5.5" in a 55, unless just as a temporary grow out. In a 55 you could probably do 2 males and 4 of 5 females, they do best in a harum situation. And Frank is right, I never use heaters in their tanks, they do best with a winter cool down, so in spring the colors really start to pop when spawning season begins.
Here are some examples.
Gymnogeophagus quilero (AKA Yebalito)

Gymnogeophagus sp Paso
balzani

you deserve all the credit for that one, since I learned all that stuff from you. I bought a Balzanii and treated it like a normal Geo until you posted information about them. Sadly she didn't last long in my "peaceful" SA tank, as my psychotic female GT killed her along w/ about 6 other fish including a nice Synspilum, an albino Rainbow shark, a large male Jewel and a Salvini so currently she is one of the smallest (5'' maybe) in my 125g yet she STILL chases my Motaguensis and Jaguars twice her size. Crazyass lunatic.

I just ordered a group of 4 Balzanii and 4 Geo. pelligrini from my LFS which should be in next week, so I will try again in a Balzanii-only tank and hope for a harem or at least a pair, maybe 2 pairs

I have seen them called Balzan's Mouthbrooder, obviously, but also Argentine Mouthbrooder and Uruguayan Mouthbrooder, but which is correct, Argentine or Uruguayan?

Can Gymno. Balzanii and Geo. Pelligrini be kept to growout together as long as I separate them eventually or do I need to keep them separate from the start?

 

[duanes]

You might keep them in the same tank a while, balzani doesn't need quite as much of a cool down as many of the more southern Gymnogeophagus.
My balzani were location "Bella Union" which is fairly close to where Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil meet. I believe you can find them in all 3 countries. There are those from Brazil that would be less tolerant of cool water than those from the south, so it may be best to find out where yours are from if possible.
You probably know I think all LFS common names are BS, and doubt any (except a few very trusted stores) know where the cichlids really come from, much less their true identity.
Look at the thread where a chain pet store sold a Herichthys as a jag, probably happens almost 50% of the time.

 

[Frank Castle]

You might keep them in the same tank a while, balzani doesn't need quite as much of a cool down as many of the more southern Gymnogeophagus.
My balzani were location "Bella Union" which is fairly close to where Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil meet. I believe you can find them in all 3 countries. There are those from Brazil that would be less tolerant of cool water than those from the south, so it may be best to find out where yours are from if possible.
You probably know I think all LFS common names are BS, and doubt any (except a few very trusted stores) know where the cichlids really come from, much less their true identity.
Look at the thread where a chain pet store sold a Herichthys as a jag, probably happens almost 50% of the time.

....and the cool down is June/July/August in the southern hemisphere, right? Or did you just let our natural winter do it when it happens normally up here??

 

[Tahn]

I know they are not new world, but maybe you can do 1 paratilapia polleni (if you can get a black one with green/blue iridescent spots, some are brown with white spots). I have one but i can't post links yet. And along with the polleni maybe a few jewel cichlids, some can get pretty mean but the polleni would end up being much larger. It would be a tank with like a pretty, shiny, galaxy, star themed tank.

 

[Frank Castle]

I know they are not new world, but maybe you can do 1 paratilapia polleni (if you can get a black one with green/blue iridescent spots, some are brown with white spots). I have one but i can't post links yet. And along with the polleni maybe a few jewel cichlids, some can get pretty mean but the polleni would end up being much larger. It would be a tank with like a pretty, shiny, galaxy, star themed tank.

you want to put a Polleni in a 55g w/ Jewels? whut?

 

[duanes]

Agree with Frank, a 55 gal is too small for Paratilapia, they easily reach 12" for males, which to me is about 6" too large for a 55. If I was going to put a Malagasy cichlid in a 55, the only ones small enough, I might consider would be Paretroplus kieneri(below), or maybe Katria Katria.

 

[kewpiefishypewpie]

I know they are not new world, but maybe you can do 1 paratilapia polleni (if you can get a black one with green/blue iridescent spots, some are brown with white spots). I have one but i can't post links yet. And along with the polleni maybe a few jewel cichlids, some can get pretty mean but the polleni would end up being much larger. It would be a tank with like a pretty, shiny, galaxy, star themed tank.

Yeah 55 would be too small long term. Although I do like your idea of Polleni with Jewels, could look really cool.

 

[THQ]

single GT tank