red head tapajos and tank size

[DrawnToBeaches]

I only intend on keeping a show pair and was hoping to keep them in a 40g breeder until my move in june, I've succefully kept angels in my 40breeders and they get about the same size but I'm carefully hopeful. I'm hoping to get information from those more experienced with the species.

How big can I let them get before moving to a 75? I don't want to upgrade if I don't absolutely have to, the only other fish will be bristle nose plecos.

 

[tlindsey]

They actually do better in groups, I would personally purchase atleast 4 to help with aggression among the group. Grow them out in the 75 if you already have it available.

 

[DrawnToBeaches]

They actually do better in groups, I would personally purchase atleast 4 to help with aggression among the group. Grow them out in the 75 if you already have it available.

Not available, currently not an option, good chance it's an option in June though

 

[neutrino]

True, they like groups as juvies, but that doesn't make it a rule for paired off adults. Like a lot of other cichlids, including some other geos, preferring a group is less of a factor once you have a mated pair. I've bred red heads for a few years and ime pairs are perfectly content without other red heads around, though in that scenario I've had them with other fish-- tetras, angels, severums, etc, not as the only fish in the tank.

40 gal tank-- not what you'd recommend but could be ok for a while, the potential issue is some pairs will fuss with each other at times, could be a problem for some pairs in a smallish tank.

 

[DrawnToBeaches]

True, they like groups as juvies, but that doesn't make it a rule for paired off adults. Like a lot of other cichlids, including some other geos, preferring a group is less of a factor once you have a mated pair. I've bred red heads for a few years and ime pairs are perfectly content without other red heads around, though in that scenario I've had them with other fish-- tetras, angels, severums, etc, not as the only fish in the tank.

40 gal tank-- not what you'd recommend but could be ok for a while, the potential issue is some pairs will fuss with each other at times, could be a problem for some pairs in a smallish tank.

Thank you, they won't be in the 40 too long, it will be heavily filtered and planted, once they hit around 6 inches I'll move them to a much bigger tank