Help me start a Geo tank!

[Casper2000]

My dad recently got addicted to Geos and is starting to talk about starting a Geo/Earth eater tank. We're gonna be using the 72 bow front and rehouse the fish in the 72 to one of the tanks we took down (maybe the 125 I'm hoping!). So my questions is what can I stock a 72 bow front with? The leucostica is staying because he's honestly become my favorite fish. I'm thinking for my stock maybe:

1 x Satanoperca Leucostica
1 x Geophagus Brasiliensis
2-3 x Geophagus 'Orange Heads'

Suggestions?

 

[jgentry]

Loose the Geophagus Brasiliensis. They are way to aggressive to be kept with most other geo's. The other 2 will be fine together but I would have like 4-6 orangeheads instead of 2-3.

 

[orbit]

What do you think of Juruparis? Also the Heckelii has grown on me immensely! Check those out too!

Also the Tapajos and the Altifrons... LOL I like them all!

 

[Casper2000]

Loose the Geophagus Brasiliensis. They are way to aggressive to be kept with most other geo's. The other 2 will be fine together but I would have like 4-6 orangeheads instead of 2-3.

Aw that sucks I really liked the way they looked :/. Can 4-6 orangheads fit in a 72 comfortably? I've never really seen big ones so I don't really know their max size.

Orbit - you like too many fish

 

[jgentry]

The orangeheads only get 6-7 inches. I would think a small group of them with the Leucostica would be fine. Heckelii and most of the altifrons are going to get to big to keep a group of them in a 72g.

 

[Casper2000]

Ahh cool 6-7" max size is perfect. I should also add that the Leucostica has been kept by himself (no group) since it was 2-3" so it's kinda made him a bit tough. He's put bigger more aggro fish than him in check (GT, lyonsi, JD, bifasciatus). Can I throw a sev in there or is that asking for too much?

 

[japes]

I'd have to recommend a species only setup. Eartheaters will generally do best when kept in groups of 4+, so I'd aim at keeping 4-5 Orange Heads or another smaller species (max 6-7") in that size tank.

If the S. leucosticta has to stay I'd recommend picking up another 3 of them. While the tank might eventually become cramped a couple of years down the track, it will probably work better as a setup overall - and you'll have probably upgraded or have the capacity to move things around a little by that stage anyway.

 

[Casper2000]

Thanks Japes I'll keep that in mind. It's still in the planning stages so I'm not really sure what the final stock might be, my dad also has a say in this project so I'll have to wait and see. The only thing I'm kinda iffy about is that leucosticas are pretty over priced here in NY (stores charge around $30 or more for a 2-3"er)

 

[peathenster]

Definitely lose the brasiliensis and I like the idea of a species tank too - a small group of orange heads and some nice small schooling dither fish. Do you plan to have some plants?

 

[orbit]

Orbit - you like too many fish

LOL!!! Its a sickness... I just have a lot of respect for them.