Upgrade - what size tank for sevs and geos ?

[hamfist]

OK, Currently I have :-

2 Severums
3 x geo surinamensis
2 x acarichthys heckelii
1 x Bristlenose
2 x brochis ...... in my 90 gallon.

All the cichlids are 3-4" at the moment so space is currently not a problem.
I would like to keep this community of fish (maybe minus the A.heckelii) and know that I will need a bigger tank in a while.
THe Sevs seem to both be female, so no breeding there. And my water is ph8, so I have been led to believe that the Geo's almost certainly won't breed in that either.

Would a 4'x2'x2' be OK. Money and space is the issue, as always. Maybe I could stretch to a 5x2x2 but I don't really want to unless I have to. I am happy to rehome the heckelii if it will allow me to be fine with a 4x2x2.

Any thoughts ?

 

[japes]

Definitely push for the 5x2x2, then you could fill out the "surinamensis" school (hopefully with the same species). Adult Severums look cramped in a 4x2 footprint, and the surinamensis (which I presume are dicrozoster/brachybranchus or even altifrons) males all push 12" as adults.

I'd recommend rehoming the heckelii as is, because it's likely that in another 6 months time, unless they're two females or a calm pair, that they'll be beating eachother up. Even the 5x2x2 will be a little cramping for them, but definitely much more acceptable than a 4x2x2 by most standards. You can also get a couple more of the "surinamensis" Geophagus species and some more brochis and have a pretty neat setup - maybe even some larger high-bodied Tetra.

 

[glenbo]

I would go for 5x2x2

2 Sevs
5 Suris
20 Tetras
few BNs
few Brochis

Would be a bit bland colour wise, but a interesting tank.

My Personal choice would be

2 Rotkeils
6-8 Tapajo Varient
15-20 Serpaes or Lemons or Colombians
10 Corys

 

[japes]

Would be a bit bland colour wise, but a interesting tank.

Most Eartheaters give Orange Heads a run for their money in the colour department, I can't see how a setup like that could be labelled "bland" in any way.

 

[hamfist]

Would be a bit bland colour wise, but a interesting tank.

Blimey, I'll need sunglasses with any more colour.

My green sev is an extremely intensely coloured wild-caught fish, and the other sev is a very tasty red-spotted gold. The Geos are already bursting with pearlescent sheen. I gather they get even more gorgeous as they mature.
In all honesty, I'm into fish character much, much more than colour anyway, so I'm not that bothered.

As fr tank size recommendations, thanks for you opinions guys. Looks like it'll be the 5x2x2. Will defo need to upgrade my filtration with that too.

 

[spxsk]

I had nearly what you are proposing in a 84"x24"x31" tank. You really get to see their Character and what I think of as nearly natural behaviors that way. Go for the longest you can get and you will not be sorry. Great stock list!

 

[hamfist]

I had nearly what you are proposing in a 84"x24"x31" tank. You really get to see their Character and what I think of as nearly natural behaviors that way. Go for the longest you can get and you will not be sorry. Great stock list!

THanks, I have to say that I love all the fish in my main tank. So much character and interesting behaviour going on.

I notice that you have 4 x heckelii. What size are they and how do they all get on ?

I've read pretty much everything thats available on the www about this species and a lot of it is conflicting. I'm on the look out for aggression, but so far my pair are a picture of peace and harmony.

 

[spxsk]

My Dominant Male is probably about 5" plus streamers, and the others are all 4" or less. There is some aggression, but plenty of "escape routes" for them. I do not have any damage on any of the other fish. There is at least one other sub male, and he is bold, and does not really back down, until a skirmish gets serious, then he immediately departs. I also have the three big psittacus in there, who clearly outweigh, and out size him, so he does not feel as though he is the top dog in the tank.

 

[hamfist]

My Dominant Male is probably about 5" plus streamers, and the others are all 4" or less. There is some aggression, but plenty of "escape routes" for them. I do not have any damage on any of the other fish. There is at least one other sub male, and he is bold, and does not really back down, until a skirmish gets serious, then he immediately departs. I also have the three big psittacus in there, who clearly outweigh, and out size him, so he does not feel as though he is the top dog in the tank.

That roughly mirrors my (minimal) experience with them. The Heckelii are not overtly aggressive but do not back down easily at all if confronted. They can fend for themselves ..... fairly fearless actually ! In fact a great cichlid community species.

 

[glenbo]

Blimey, I'll need sunglasses with any more colour.

My green sev is an extremely intensely coloured wild-caught fish, and the other sev is a very tasty red-spotted gold. The Geos are already bursting with pearlescent sheen. I gather they get even more gorgeous as they mature.
In all honesty, I'm into fish character much, much more than colour anyway, so I'm not that bothered.

As fr tank size recommendations, thanks for you opinions guys. Looks like it'll be the 5x2x2. Will defo need to upgrade my filtration with that too.

I kinda meant that it would be a very blue/green tank.

But yeh np on the rest of the info i bothered to write...