red-head or heckeli?

[Mount_Prion]

I dunno what earth-eater to get! Buying some from rapps.

I've narrowed it down to one of these two species:

I'm partially leaning towards the redhead b/c it'll be with red garnet sand and should pop, but the streamers on the heckeli are cool! And they seem less common, everybody's talking about tapajos these days. Thoughts? WWYD?

 

[bbortko]

I prefer heckelii. Tapajos are great looking and I'd consider keeping them again but I'm loving my heckelii rightv now, tuey are much more personable. The tapajos are very active almost like mbuna.

 

[JK47]

What size tank?
Any tankmates?

I've kept both and the above questions matter when choosing between the two.

 

[Mount_Prion]

What size tank?
Any tankmates?

I've kept both and the above questions matter when choosing between the two.

They're gonna be in a 4x2x1 (with a 40g sump, eheim can, UV, and pothos) with 2 of Jeff's mini rays. Want them to sift the sand for ray leftovers. Probably gonna get 3 so they don't add a ton of bio load.

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[JK47]

They're gonna be in a 4x2x1 (with a 40g sump, eheim can, UV, and pothos) with 2 of Jeff's mini rays. Want them to sift the sand for ray leftovers. Probably gonna get 3 so they don't add a ton of bio load.

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That said I would go with the largest orange heads you can get your hands on. Heckelii are much more aggressive than orange heads. I've never kept heckelii with rays, I will one day in a larger tank but I would not keep heckelii in a 4x2 footprint, orange heads would do great in a tank that size.

heckelii require larger tanks because of their breeding behavior. That's just my opinion to get a group of orange heads (6-8) to go with the rays and call it a day.

 

[davey_c]

at a tank that size i'd recommend red heads!! i had A. heckeli previously and although they are great and interesting to keep they would need a larger tank!

 

[Mount_Prion]

That said I would go with the largest orange heads you can get your hands on. Heckelii are much more aggressive than orange heads. I've never kept heckelii with rays, I will one day in a larger tank but I would not keep heckelii in a 4x2 footprint, orange heads would do great in a tank that size.

heckelii require larger tanks because of their breeding behavior. That's just my opinion to get a group of orange heads (6-8) to go with the rays and call it a day.

Sorry, to clarify: oranges are different than redheads?

If so, what's the difference?

Thanks!

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[orinocensis1]

Sorry, to clarify: oranges are different than redheads?

If so, what's the difference?

Thanks!

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They are the same fish. Just two different common names that people call them. I think they are both nice fish I have owned both. I would just go with your personal preference.

 

[Pazzoman]

I'm kinda in the same position as you mount...

I've been thinking on what to stock my 72 gallon and I'm thinking 6x orange heads as they seem to max out at 5-6 inch usually and are more peaceful compared to other geos which is a must for your rays. How are your water parameters? Rays are a big bio load factor...

 

[pjsammut]

I have 2 7-8 inch heckalli with 4 6-7 inch geo abalios and 2 5 inch male red heads left over from a colony. I have and the red heads are by far the most aggressive. The heckalli are not aggressive at all and if they do chase then it's only small distances and never with any bad intent. They are great fish and I've even kept them with 2 inch leucasticta juvies with no probems. They are in a 125 but being moved to a 180 this month.
Go heckalli I say!


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