Discus and Geophagus "Tapajo"

[YoFishboy]

In the next few months, I will be setting up a 55g lightly planted tank for what will eventually be a community breeding tank for discus. Along with some cories, I would like to add Geophagus "Tapajo" as well. I plan to get a half dozen each of discus and G. Tapajo fry to grow out and keep a pair of each as they pair off. I have generally had positive feed back about this proposed set up from others, but I would also like some feedback from the folks here on the forum. Thanks!

[apistomaster]

A standard 55 is barely large enough to grow out six discus let alone both species of large Cichlids.
Either double the tank space or choose one of the Cichlid species.
Otherwise the Discus will soon fall behind their normal growth rate and the Geophagus will get the better end of the deal.

[YoFishboy]

A standard 55 is barely large enough to grow out six discus let alone both species of large Cichlids.
Either double the tank space or choose one of the Cichlid species.
Otherwise the Discus will soon fall behind their normal growth rate and the Geophagus will get the better end of the deal.

LOL....fair enough....I'll use this as an excuse to put them in my new 135 gallon tank instead....thanks for the info!

[apistomaster]

I have mentioned this before on this forum but as long as the discus start out good sized and the Geos of the peaceful types, they make a very interesting combination.
They are compatible, given adequate tank size and the discus often trail the sand sifting geos on the look out for bits of food the Geos stir up. Discus do a lot of sand sifting themselves when kept over sand substrates. I have some Heckels set up in a tank that has the back half terraced through the use of a glass planter box and the front half has only enough sand to barely conceal the underlying bare glass bottom. They will sift that front sand for as long as it takes to find every last live black worm. I always pot my Sword plant. It lets me redecorate easily and the pots confine the substrate fertilizer with the plants. I recommend potting plants in a Geophagus containing tank.
Here is their set up.

Overview of their tank. It is easy to see how the worms can't disappear completely into the sand and escape but the numerous craters the discus have made worm hunting are difficult to see..

[YoFishboy]

Very nice set up, Apistomaster.....have you been able to successfully breed the discus and geos in this kind of community set up?

[DENCIO]

i think Geophagus " Tapajos" is quite aggressive for discus. It constantly attack my Insignis in my community setup and planning to separate them.

[apistomaster]

Very nice set up, Apistomaster.....have you been able to successfully breed the discus and geos in this kind of community set up?

Yes, I have but then I remove the pair(s) to their own tank. I have bred all but Heckel Discus.