I have two geophagus red head tapajos in a 41 gallon tank (155 litres). Please suggest few other track mates or can I add more geophagus red head pairs to my tank. This is my first tank having cichlids, also I'm based out of India so please suggest some tank mates which I could get in India.
Tank mates for geophagus red head tapajos
- Thread starter Prakash 1902
- Start date
The tank is too small for additional fish. If anything, a couple of cories but no more. Your redheads will be happier as it is now, adding more will make them (and you) unhappy. And lots of water changes are needed. Good luck!
Hey there. If the red heads are a pair I would let them be the only fish in the tank. If both are males they might not work long term in such a tank. I'd keep an eye. As for tankmates I'd add tetras , maybe large serpae or lemon tetras,aybe skirt tetras.Not the small ones like that neons as they'll get eaten. I'd avoid corys as the geo tend to shift through sand and the corys don't get enough food imo. Good luck.
Where you from? I'm from siliguri, WB
I'm from Tamil Nadu.. thank you for your response. I'll look into tetras
You can add deep-bodied tetras for the upper levels of the tank. Congos, Buenos Aires, Diamond, Hy511/candycane, Colombian... something like that.
I wouldn't add more cichlids due to the size. Are the fish actually a male/female pair? If not, you may see fighting once they settle in. It is rare for two single, unpaired Geos to get along if they're the only fish in the tank. You'll likely have one that chases/dominates the other.
I wouldn't add more cichlids due to the size. Are the fish actually a male/female pair? If not, you may see fighting once they settle in. It is rare for two single, unpaired Geos to get along if they're the only fish in the tank. You'll likely have one that chases/dominates the other.
Yes, they are a pair and as you mentioned. The male is already dominating the female and doesn't allow it to settle down. So I thought of adding another pair or two females to the tank.
Nah don't. That'll be a cause of chaos. Better off adding a group of tetras.
I agree with the others above.
Such a small tank has only enough space for 1 Geophagus alone, or temporarily growing out juvies.
Most adult or even semi-adult geophagines require at minimum a 6ft tank to live amicably, and as a shoal.
Of the Geophagines a 40ish gal tank is has only enough room a pair of Microgeophagus (Rams) as adults.
Such a small tank has only enough space for 1 Geophagus alone, or temporarily growing out juvies.
Most adult or even semi-adult geophagines require at minimum a 6ft tank to live amicably, and as a shoal.
Of the Geophagines a 40ish gal tank is has only enough room a pair of Microgeophagus (Rams) as adults.
What are the dimensions of your tank?
It partly depends on this. Everything isn't about gallons-- real estate (in terms of tank bottom area) makes a difference and this should be a question before giving hard advice.
A number of geo species do just fine as male/female pairs in a tank-- if they're not too cramped. It can also help if they're not alone in the tank. It's possible for two males or two females to work, though it's true they'll tend to fuss with each other, all the more so if their isn't a larger, more dominant fish in the tank for them to worry about.
I'll say this-- on occasion what I see in tank size discussions in groups with international members is we have the luxury of comparatively less expensive tanks, equipment, fish, and sometimes more space to fit them in our houses in some countries than others. In effect we become spoiled and trained to see tank size a certain way, without understanding that in some places they're very adept at successfully fitting communities of fish in tanks some of us would deem to be too small. Like it or not, this is a fact of life.
That said, 41 gals is on the small side and may or may not work for what you're trying to do. Red head geos vary in adult size, some might max at 6 inches, but they can get larger. So, again, not a hard answer, depending on this and your tank dimensions. Depending on tank dimensions a pair of red heads may not work or you may be limited to adding some tetras or something similar, maybe a small pleco or catfish, or you may get away with a couple of smaller growing angelfish, or even a small growing cichlid or two.
It partly depends on this. Everything isn't about gallons-- real estate (in terms of tank bottom area) makes a difference and this should be a question before giving hard advice.
A number of geo species do just fine as male/female pairs in a tank-- if they're not too cramped. It can also help if they're not alone in the tank. It's possible for two males or two females to work, though it's true they'll tend to fuss with each other, all the more so if their isn't a larger, more dominant fish in the tank for them to worry about.
I'll say this-- on occasion what I see in tank size discussions in groups with international members is we have the luxury of comparatively less expensive tanks, equipment, fish, and sometimes more space to fit them in our houses in some countries than others. In effect we become spoiled and trained to see tank size a certain way, without understanding that in some places they're very adept at successfully fitting communities of fish in tanks some of us would deem to be too small. Like it or not, this is a fact of life.
That said, 41 gals is on the small side and may or may not work for what you're trying to do. Red head geos vary in adult size, some might max at 6 inches, but they can get larger. So, again, not a hard answer, depending on this and your tank dimensions. Depending on tank dimensions a pair of red heads may not work or you may be limited to adding some tetras or something similar, maybe a small pleco or catfish, or you may get away with a couple of smaller growing angelfish, or even a small growing cichlid or two.