My geophagus surinamensis

[swervo513]

I bought a pair of surinamensis geo's and they are doing ok. However they are not eating much. They only seem to eat frozen mysis and cyclops. also they seem to always be swimming against the glass. What is wrong with them? Also how long will it take until their colors start showing?

 

[Kalen]

You may not notice them eating much because they are earth eaters. I have a breeding pair of Gymnogeophagus Norte who hardly ever swim to the top to eat, but when I wake up in the morning the sand will completely be rearranged and there will be no food left in there. Also, what kind of substrate are you using the aquarium they are in? They will need something fine enough that they can easily pass it through their gills when they are sifting the sand for food. Just my two cents, hope this helps.

 

[swervo513]

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. They are constantly sifting the sand for food. Problem is I have a few fish in the tank and they tend to eat everything up quickly. I have tahiti moon sand in the tank so I do notice what you are talkin about.

 

[swervo513]

so how long does it take these guys to grow full size?

 

[honda237]

from my experience from geos, which is 10+, they always swimm to the top, all them. all my geos are giant pigs, and are the first to the top of the tank.
Your are probably just getting use to the tank, so just give them time. I would say it takes about a 1 1/2 years to 2 years to be fully grown and colored up, ect.

 

[swervo513]

well mine are not eating like pigs yet. they do however constantly sift the dirt. thanks for the info