Stocking 5ft 110 gallon. Which geophagus?

[Jampar]

Hello,

Im very excited to be getting a 5ft x 18"w x 24" h tank this week with either a fluval fx4 or fx6. Ive never had a tank of this size, I currently have a 3ft community planted tank so wanted some advice on stocking.
I would like a banded severum, 2 x blue acara and either one larger geophagus suitable to live alone or a 4-5 smaller geos. I would apprecuate any advice one what geos would be best suited to this tank.
Also would this tank be overstocked if I had 5-6 denison barbs as dither fish? Do I need a clean up fish such as catfish to clean up after the cichlids?
Thankful for any advice!

 

[tlindsey]

Hello,

Im very excited to be getting a 5ft x 18"w x 24" h tank this week with either a fluval fx4 or fx6. Ive never had a tank of this size, I currently have a 3ft community planted tank so wanted some advice on stocking.
I would like a banded severum, 2 x blue acara and either one larger geophagus suitable to live alone or a 4-5 smaller geos. I would apprecuate any advice one what geos would be best suited to this tank.
Also would this tank be overstocked if I had 5-6 denison barbs as dither fish? Do I need a clean up fish such as catfish to clean up after the cichlids?
Thankful for any advice!

Welcome aboard!

I suggest a group of 4 Geophagus Redhead Tapajos and a group of high bodied Tetra such as Columbian Blue Tetra. I think if you don't overfeed you don't need anything to clean-up. Also Geophagus means Earth eater so sand will be the best substrate for them.

 

[Rocksor]

geos will keep the sand clean, no need for a cleanup catfish.

 

[Ash02]

Geophagus sp. Red head tapajos. Mine have never had an issue with severums or my eba.

 

[duanes]

geos will keep the sand clean, no need for a cleanup catfish.

Agree with Rocksor, with Geos, there is never a need for catfish.
Also agree the tapajos would be a good choice, some of the other Geos get too large. in a tropical tank,
One thing to consider (and I do because I'm anal about these things).
Denison barbs are not really a tropical fish, they come from more temperate, slightly cooler waters. At times, where they are endemic in India, water temps seasonally dip into the mid 60s F.
If it were me, I'd keep those barbs in a room temp tank, with species of Gymnogeophagus that don't need tropical temps.
I believe constant higher temps may shorten their lives.
Of course the rub here, is that the severum and acaras are tropical species.
Soif you want a more tropical tank, tlindsey's suggestion of more geographically correct tetras, and tapajos as tank mates, is apropos.

 

[Jampar]

Thank you all, the tapajos look ideal and exactly the sort of bottom dweller I'm after and I will be sure to use sand. I was in two minds about denison barbs anyway because they're the oddball of the group being from asia so I'll rethink some more appropriate dither fish. I appreciate all the advice.

 

[Ash02]

I use Columbian tetras, and they are a lot of fun. 10-12 would be plenty for your tank.

 

[Jampar]

I use Columbian tetras, and they are a lot of fun. 10-12 would be plenty for your tank.
View attachment 1434200

Beautiful tank, it looks exactly like the sort of thing I had in my head, I hope mine will look as good. The columbian tetras look great. What tank is size is it? How did you go about stocking it, tetras first and severum last?

 

[Ash02]

It's a 180 gallon tank. I have 2 severum, 1 EBA, 5 Geo tapajos, 12 tetras, 1 gold nugget pleco.

A few observations:

1. These fish create a LOT of poop. I gravel vac twice a week to keep up.
2. The geos are very feisty with each other. Expect some chasing and lip locking. I haven't seen any damage or stress from these behaviors, though.
3. The geos are very slow growers. I've had mine for almost a year and only one is showing much color and fin streamers. It was the largest of the 5 when I got them. Depending on how big you get them, it may be a long wait before they start looking like adults. It's worth it, though.
4. The geos are true bottom feeders and won't compete for food in the mid or top water. Make sure enough sinking pellets are getting down to them. Also, they show strong preference for smaller pellets. I started with .5 mm and I doubt they will ever need larger than 1mm. The severums and acara will feed at all levels of the tank.

 

[Jampar]

It's a 180 gallon tank. I have 2 severum, 1 EBA, 5 Geo tapajos, 12 tetras, 1 gold nugget pleco.

A few observations:

1. These fish create a LOT of poop. I gravel vac twice a week to keep up.
2. The geos are very feisty with each other. Expect some chasing and lip locking. I haven't seen any damage or stress from these behaviors, though.
3. The geos are very slow growers. I've had mine for almost a year and only one is showing much color and fin streamers. It was the largest of the 5 when I got them. Depending on how big you get them, it may be a long wait before they start looking like adults. It's worth it, though.
4. The geos are true bottom feeders and won't compete for food in the mid or top water. Make sure enough sinking pellets are getting down to them. Also, they show strong preference for smaller pellets. I started with .5 mm and I doubt they will ever need larger than 1mm. The severums and acara will feed at all levels of the tank.

View attachment 1434222

These are all great tips/insights and I'll keep them in mind. Thank you.