Question regarding geophagus

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Angels are suitable tank mates, severums, uaru, and other less aggressive sa cichla:)
 
To get back to your original question, large cichlids do produce a lot of waste, including a group of Geophagus. You may not see as much of it because their constant sifting will break it into smaller pieces and also cover it in sand. They don't eat it, so it's definitely still there. This is why it's important to clean your filters and do frequent (weekly) water changes. Most Geos are sensitive to poor water quality, so don't assume that seeing less waste means there actually is less waste. It's still in there somewhere, either buried in sand or broken into tiny pieces and picked up by the filter.

A lot of the fish listed above (Uaru, Hypselecara, Mesonauta) are large-growing fish and will come with a relatively high bioload. They will all require clean water with low nitrates and DOCs, so if you go for these species, please know that your water changes will need to be frequent. You mentioned you didn't like your pleco because it put off a lot of waste, so you should be prepared for these fish to do the same.
 
Many people say that geos make tanks cleaner than other fish. They are always sifting the sand to look for food so any small bits of food are found and eaten.

Their sand sifting also makes a lot of waste kick up into your filters. There's more movement on the bottom and more waste gets picked up. Contrast that with plecos who mostly just kind of lay there and **** a lot.
 
Yeah the good thing about sifters is they get it into the water column. Im running a wet dry so maintenance is fairly easy. Any smaller tank mates that could co exist with the Geos and Angels without being preyed on?
 
Yeah the good thing about sifters is they get it into the water column. Im running a wet dry so maintenance is fairly easy. Any smaller tank mates that could co exist with the Geos and Angels without being preyed on?

Cories, large bodied tetras, rams, kribensis and many other fish. Basically anything that isn't super aggressive that will reach at least 3". This list will only work with smaller species of geos. The large species that hit 10-12" will have mouths big enough to eat those fish.


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If you're keeping just geos and the angelfish, lemon tetras would make a good addition. I've never kept them personally but I've seen them kept with geos, they look good schooling together in a bog group.

Just watch out, as was mentioned above, you get a school of each of these types of fish and your bioload will be increased.

Throw some driftwood with java fern and anubias attached and you'll have a very nice looking setup!
 
Ok so I have 10 Angels and I just picked up 10 Red Head Tapajos. The Angels are quarter size and the Geos are an inch at the most. Have some nice driftwood and at the moment plastic plants for color. Tank is a 180 overflow setup into a Eshopps 300 wet dry. Maintenance and water changes are not a problem for me in fact I tell people for me there therapeutic. I really would like a school of tetras but had a total tank wipeout last time I bought some. How about a small group of Boesmani rainbows(maybe 6 or 7)? Would they be ok with Angels and Geos?
 
Ok so I have 10 Angels and I just picked up 10 Red Head Tapajos. The Angels are quarter size and the Geos are an inch at the most. Have some nice driftwood and at the moment plastic plants for color. Tank is a 180 overflow setup into a Eshopps 300 wet dry. Maintenance and water changes are not a problem for me in fact I tell people for me there therapeutic. I really would like a school of tetras but had a total tank wipeout last time I bought some. How about a small group of Boesmani rainbows(maybe 6 or 7)? Would they be ok with Angels and Geos?

Rainbows will work, but don't school and aren't a part of the natural environments geos and angels come from. Plus once the rainbows start breeding, they tend to dive bomb other fish IME.

Personally, I would still do tetras. Better schoolers and don't get crazy when/if they breed (many tetras require specific breeding conditions). Lemons and serpae are my favorite money savers. But if you are willing to spend the money, congos are the way to go. I think the key to finding quality tetras is to get them from a LFS rarer than a big chain store. And definitely quarantine them for at least two weeks before adding them to the geo/angel tank.


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