Which of these Eartheaters should I choose for my 55 gallon?

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Vobs56

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 25, 2009
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Chicago, IL
So my plan is to have an Eartheaters and Angels set-up for my 55 gallon. This weekend I will be picking up my Breeding pair of Blue Platinum Angels and after that I need to decide on what Eartheater species to get with my pair of angels.
My choices are:
Geophagus Tapajos Orange Head
Biotodoma Cupido "Cupid Cichlid"
Geophagus Steindachneri Red Hump
Gymnogeophagus Balzanii Argentine Humphead

I want to avoid over-stocking my tank so the full-size of the fish must be put into consideration (all of which should reach 6-7" inches). I also want enough room for about 10-15 tetras as well.

Which species should I choose and how many of each species should I get?
I'm having difficulty on decided the exact number.

Thanks!
 
imo I'd go with what ever one you find the most intriguing and want to enjoy... theyre all very pretty tho so thats a tough choice.. if it helps, since the g. Balzanii will need (lots say debatable but I stick with need) a cool down period so depending on how you plan to accomplish that may throw them off your choice ranks... gl dude post some pics when you decide!
 
I think red hump. Im not a big fan of the earth eaters but i still think the earth eaters look very cool and have interesting personalites
 
really? even with all their color? why?

I like the way they act and stuff and some of them look really cool and weird(in a good way) but im not a big fan of the plant eaters and stuff. I like the predators more cuz i have a.d.d. with fish haha. im still a teen and i get bored easy so i need something that i can throw a living fish to and watch it eat it hah kinda sick isnt it:)
 
Red heads would be my first choice based on looks and personality. The cupidos I've had were nice but would hide if there was any movement within 5' of the tank. Steinies are a little bigger and have much higher conspefic aggression, especially male to male. Personally I would do 4-5 red head tapajos.
 
Both of the Geo's top my list.
 
I have never kept Orange Heads, but I currently am keeping the other three.

I would say that the B. cupido would be the best fit. Steindachneri get pretty big and active for a 55. Balzanii prefer much cooler temperatures than your Angels, so probably not a good match.

Another possibility might be a Guianacara (spelling?) species, look them up to see if they are interesting to you.
 
I like the way they act and stuff and some of them look really cool and weird(in a good way) but im not a big fan of the plant eaters and stuff. I like the predators more cuz i have a.d.d. with fish haha. im still a teen and i get bored easy so i need something that i can throw a living fish to and watch it eat it hah kinda sick isnt it:)

yeah I guess the looks of a fish are my interest right now. I still have a red terror, 6 JDs, a jag, sunfish, bluegill, red devil, green terror, red pike, among others, but ever since I bought my small colony of 5 mpimbwe frontosas have a gained a greater appreciation for the color and beauty of different types of fish. I also got tired of moving around aggressive cichlids and their compatibility, or lack- there of, was wearing thin on me, so once I sorted those fish out amongst the tanks and resolved most of the aggression and incompatibility I did not want to touch it lol. Plus it gives me reason to do a natural 3D background, sand and plants. If I put those things with my JDs they would definitely not last that long lol.
 
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