South American tank

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FishKing5 said:
Video of my current stock of South Americans. Tank consists of wild geophagus sveni, wild true geophagus suranemsis, heckelii and F1 gymnogeophagus labiatus rio olimar. Will be adding at least 4 more sveni and possibly some Uara once I get these fish moved to their 180 gallon first.

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Very nice looking Geo's and I like the aquascape.
 
Now that I'm seeing your fish in video, it appears the surinamensis are probably G. brachybranchus. They have cheek markings and black throats, both of which suris don't have.

Brachys are also from Suriname, so that may be what leads to the confusion.
 
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ryansmith83 said:
Now that I'm seeing your fish in video, it appears the surinamensis are probably G. brachybranchus. They have cheek markings and black throats, both of which suris don't have.

Brachys are also from Suriname, so that may be what leads to the confusion.
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Ok nice. Thanks for the clarification! I've actually never heard of that kind before but after researching them, I think you're right. They're going to be spawning soon so hopefully I can save a few fry
 
Just an observation, Gymno labiatus is a cool water species from Uruguay which (beyond normally cooler temps), needs more of a temp drop at least into the upper 60sF to simulate its natural habitat, for part of the year to stay healthy. I found out the hard way when trying to keep them in tropical tanks over a decade ago, before I realized Uruguay is @ 3000 miles south of, and much more temperate than where the other Geo's you have are from.
They would be better in an unheated tank with species like balzani or Australoheros.
 
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duanes said:
Just an observation, Gymno labiatus is a cool water species from Uruguay which (beyond normally cooler temps), needs more of a temp drop at least into the upper 60sF to simulate its natural habitat, for part of the year to stay healthy. I found out the hard way when trying to keep them in tropical tanks over a decade ago, before I realized Uruguay is @ 3000 miles south of, and much more temperate than where the other Geo's you have are from.
They would be better in an unheated tank with species like balzani or Australoheros.
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I give all my gymnogeophagus a cool down period along with my cichlasoma dimerus in the winter time. I put them in an unheated tank for a good 3 to 4 months. I think I'll eventually just setup strictly a southern Uruguay tank. I just got rid of my F1 gymnogeophagus balzanii Bella union strain and already kind of regret getting rid of them. The dominant male was turning out awesome but I wanted to focus more on the geopohagus for now until I move them to their own tank. Ken Davis seems to have an unlimited supply of the balzanii so I'll get more from him again down the road.
 
Thanks for sharing. I never gotten into Geo's myself but every time I see and example like yours, I always ask myself why not? Very elegant, dare I say regal looking specimens.
 
heavyhitter said:
Thanks for sharing. I never gotten into Geo's myself but every time I see and example like yours, I always ask myself why not? Very elegant, dare I say regal looking specimens.
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Ya Ive always wanted a nice group of them but have always been into bigger fish like vieja and such but now that I've finally got some geophagus I'm really excited about them. I've always known I'd like to have some and put them in a good size tank so I just decided to go for it. The sveni are quite pricey but worth it I think. No other geophagus colors compare. I do really like the altifrons Rio Negro and tocantins but the sveni have them beat IMO.
 
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