Tankmates - Geophagus Surinamensis

[morpheus]

I bought two Geophagus Surinamensis a few months ago and they are currently in a 56 gal, and have maybe doubled in size in that span to around 3-4 inches.

Current Tankmates:
2 Silver Dollars
1 Jewel Cichlid
1 "Assorted Peacock Cichlid" - But i think it was labeled wrong. Very docile and I have no idea what it is
1 Common Pleco

Question 1:
Last night I had to move an adult male black convict out of my 75 gal into the tank with these guys. Will there be tension/bullying?

I never owned Geos before so was unsure if the convict can cause an issue. Just the convict was getting mercilessly chased by a large JD and I didnt have a choice but to move him, or the convict would probably get killed.

Question 2:
Other tankmates for the above mentioned that are colorful? Tank just looks kinda bare but I know the Geos will get a good bit larger still

Thanks for suggestions

[troy tucker]

Not sure how big mine is but 6in. For sure. They will do fine with most fish but like more room.

[mnemenoi]

Question 1 - I would expect it, though not sure who which will come out ahead. I'd expect some bullying from the convict and would be more worried about their finnage as it takes awhile to grow out and look nice in male specimens and the first target for a new Central American Convict. I don't expect it would be a 'death match', more nipping and chasing. Central Americans are rough customers and usually don't do well with anything and are fairly messy to boot. Convicts and JD's are the ones that most fit the group to a "T". Have heard good opinions about Honduran Red Points, but never had any first hand experience to verify the reports.

Question 2 Hmmm.... What is the desired result of the geos? Breeding? Show specimens? In any case, they are sensitive to Nitrates. HITH is common at lower levels (<30ppm) so water quality is always something that must be monitored and adjusted for. They hail from softer water areas, so that is something to consider if breeding is desired. All your current residents are Nitrate factories and will require extra water changes. I myself might reconsider your tankmates and adjust accordingly. My recommendations are a school of tetras (10-15 Silver Hatchetfish, Splash Tetra, Serpaes, Emporers, Hemiodus, ect) , some smaller plecos (Inspector, Starry night Bristlenose, Gold Nuggets, Small Clowns or anything small and get a few to possibly breed them and enjoy their social interactions), and possibly adding in some SA oddballs (SA Woodcats, Banjo catfish, Curviceps, centipede knifefish, Corydoras, armoured catfish, bumblebee catfish, really anything South American and 5" and under).

I know I'm a bit more of a biotope specific keeper, but I imagine any top dwelling smaller species would do admirably well in such a tank. Some of the newer danios (Choprae or Fire Ring come to mind), African Barbs (milder semi-large types, think Fasciolatus) or even some wonder killies would look interesting and not compete with the larger showpiece fish nor excessively to the bioload and overtax your water change schedule.

[morpheus]

Thanks for the replies.

So far so good with the interaction. i was worried about the geos more so because the convict looks more like a tank at this point. just couldnt stand up at all to a 7 inch or so JD. wasnt even trying to defend himself.

the geos fins and colors are starting to come in nicely with the reds and iridescence, so introducing a wild card wasnt my plan. i do want to eventually restructure tankmates, just need to either sell or see if a place would do a trade. all the smaller tetras like separes would get eaten by the unknown fish. he eats rosy reds like crazy. the larger types like emperors would work. otherwise i would prob stick to the 5" or lower cichlids like you suggested.

how do you sex geos? i bought them when they were maybe 1-2 inch so i thought that was too small to know for sure. i dont know if i have a male and female, or if they would even breed. normally i am of the mind that says steady conditions and the fish will breed if they choose, instead of chasing the perfect natural habitat.

[mnemenoi]

Elongated Dorsal and Anal fins are a good indicator to sex in cichlids, but in geos it can be difficult and are usually only apparent in the dominant male. Coloring can also be an indicator, but again it would need to be a male with no other cichlid species that might be bullying it into a subdominant role in the tank.