Red Head Geophagus?

[GhostShrimpMan]

I love these fish, and I want to get one, but I was wondering how many gallons they need?

Any help will do. Thanks

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

BUMP

 

[Loves severums]

they need to be in a group and need sand.

 

[David R]

Not really, they won't keel over and die if kept alone on a bare bottom or gravel substrate tank.


Are you talking about the Geophagus Sp. Orange Head, or red hump G. steindachneri?

 

[japes]

Not really, they won't keel over and die if kept alone on a bare bottom or gravel substrate tank.


Are you talking about the Geophagus Sp. Orange Head, or red hump G. steindachneri?

I'd presume he's talking about Orange Heads.

While David is right, I'm going to argue the point by putting forward the notion that if you're going to keep a certain type of fish that has taken your fancy, why not develop the tank to suit their needs? Eartheaters are infinitely more interesting when kept in properly structured shoals on a sand substrate when they sift in a pack turning over huge amounts of sand in search of food. It should be a given obligation that when keeping Eartheaters, you have sand, just like you need to keep them in water.

I'd recommend a 4x18 or 5x15 footprint minimum, for 4-6 specimens. I personally kept a colony of 6, 3M 3F, in a 5x15 and it wasn't wide enough. 5x2 minimum is ideal.

Do your research and set up the tank before you head out and buy them.

 

[jworth]

Not really, they won't keel over and die if kept alone on a bare bottom or gravel substrate tank.


Are you talking about the Geophagus Sp. Orange Head, or red hump G. steindachneri?

I assume he is talking about Red Head Tapajos. No it may not kill them, but in our fish keeping, arent we trying to provide as optimal of an environment as we can? In the wild these fish sift sand and live in groups. A hobbyist should provide the same. A group could of 4 or 5 could be housed in a 55 or 75 gallon tank comfortably so long as the tank isnt overstocked. Provide sand and a group or dont get the fish, unless you dont care about thier optimal well being They are great fish and you will love them. Quite beautiful.


^^ Japes said this while I was typing and I could not agree with him more.

 

[dpk2313]

I love my Tapajos if you want them to color up sooner and with more intense red use white or light tan sand, as stated before sand is more or less a must. They prefer sinking food as they eat off the bottom sifting sand and removing the food. They are a magnificent if not elegant fish you will love watching them just go about their daily business

 

[cichlidian1]

I would do maybe 4-6 in a 75 gallon minimum

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

Thanks A Lot! (Japes Answered My Question EXCITED! )

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

(to the above) for real ??