"Rescue" cichlids from Petsmart...what are they??

[Frank Castle]

You have Geophagus brasiliensis for sure. Be aware, this species is much more "acara like" in nature than the true Geophagus. They form pairs and guard their fry aggressively. I would not keep this species in groups like you would true Geophagus.

I don't usually meddle in the whole splitting vs lumping debates, but I think we will eventually see this species moved to a different genus.

I think they will get their OWN genus a new one like "Psuedogeophagus" or something like that

That is really helpful. I saw another thread where the discussion was around keeping the Brasiliensis with CA cichlids which I know much less about. Anyone have suggestions on what types of CA would work longer term in the 180g with the brasiliensis?

Treatt them like any other aggressive SA/CA......let's make it easy - pretend they are Green Terrors......if you haven't kept GTs, what are some aggressive SA/CA cichllids you have kept?

 

[RyanM]

I would not hesitate to mix them with mid sized centrals if you want pairs. Cryptoheros would be a good fit.

If you a new to the hobby, don't discount the option of breeding these guys and then moving them on. It is worth seeing. But they do not fit your original plan. So if that is more appealing to you, then I would not let an impulse buy screw your plans up.

Definitely not new to the hobby, just new to the larger SA/CA cichlids. I also have a 92g corner that I could use for these guys. Would it be big enough to grow them out until a pair develops and then sell off the others?

 

[RyanM]

I think they will get their OWN genus a new one like "Psuedogeophagus" or something like that
Treatt them like any other aggressive SA/CA......let's make it easy - pretend they are Green Terrors......if you haven't kept GTs, what are some aggressive SA/CA cichllids you have kept?

The only CA's I have kept are the basics like JD and Convicts...and that was probably 15 years ago.

Are Sajica or Myrnae good options? Any other specific types I should look for that are interesting in personality and looks?

 

[Frank Castle]

The only CA's I have kept are the basics like JD and Convicts...and that was probably 15 years ago.

Are Sajica or Myrnae good options? Any other specific types I should look for that are interesting in personality and looks?

I wouldn't keep them w/ other Geos, dude......they are unlike any Geophagus species out there.....bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, more aggressive. Pretend you got a really aggressive pair of Jack Dempseys w/ fry, cuz Brasiliensis is probably more aggressive than JDs and I have owned over 20 Jacks, including the harem of 7 I have right now - 1M, 6F

These fish are highly intelligent

Kittiee Katt