Geophagus ID, once and once again

[Piotr Koba]

I recently acquired group of 7 Geophagus, sold as G. altifrons "Alenquer". They are not wild caught (I think so), but I'm still not sure what they really are. I don't care if they are not true-altifrons, because I really like them Just wondering what I have in the tank.
Some pics, I hope they are helpful:




Thanks in advance!

[Piotr Koba]

Forgot to mention smallest ones are around 8cm, biggest are over 10cm.

[Bas Pels]

The lateral spot is too large for altifrons, and the fishes commonly referred to as cf altifrons have - as altifrons do - a spotted tail, not a striped one as your fish does

I Think something like G winnemilleri, but whatever they are, they are beautifull. Congrats with them

[Piotr Koba]

Thanks Bas.
Yes I thought they could be winemilleri, but at that size they should have those black markings on cheeks, don't they? I thought about G. abalios. They are similiar to those:
http://geophagus.net/art/steckbriefe/ge ... pajos.html

[Bas Pels]

I don't know, I never kept them myself.

sorry

[Piotr Koba]

No problem, I hope others will show me their ideas too Thanks for help.

A pic of the tank they're in:

I'll remove stones as soon as bogwood sink.

[Bas Pels]

Nice tank

I know the problem with floating bogwood. 1 floater can be very beautifull - and when it finally sinks, it will be the most natural piece in your tank, but only floaters? No

I olways needed much more rocks - they did not stay in place

[daemon]

As said before not true altifrons .Aff altifrons from some catch locations have striped tail these would be my best guess . As you said winemilleri would have black mark on cheek my dicrozoster had this mark at 1" . Very nice little geos though will be intresting to see them grow on you will probably be able to get a more positive id in 6 months time

[abarilot]

Since there are no bars on their faces I'd go with G. abalios. As said above they are young so a positive ID will be easier once they get a bit bigger.

[Piotr Koba]

Thanks! I'll wait till they get bigger.

[Piotr Koba]

Whatever they are, I'm very happy because one pair seems to be preparing for spawn! Not very strong bond yet, but male has taken half of the 180cm tank as his territory, and female (the most colorful fish out of three smallest ones, so probably a female) visits him from time to time. Sometimes he shakes allover his body in front of her, sometimes chase her away. I'm sooo excited, those are my first Geo's and I didn't expect a lot from young fish. Anyway, fingers crossed

One observation, as Geophagus-beginner: to me, it'd be better when they won't become G. altifrons. They are still quite small (largest A-male is around 12cm i think, little bit bigger than I thought eralier) but 180cm is not too loooong for them. I mean, incredibly active fish! Maybe when they get older they will be more "static", but for now 7 subadults specimens is even too much for my tank.

[Piotr Koba]

Pics of the pair:
Female in front of her partner

[Piotr Koba]

Male this time:


Pair chasing away intruder

[peathenster]

could they be G. sp. Pindare?

[Piotr Koba]

I'm pretty sure, they couldn't be (however, I wouldn't mind if they were), just because at that size reddish/orange colour on the flanks should be much stronger (males are approx. 12cm long).
If someone interested - new pics:









Pair (mostly on photos) is still practicing, I'm affraid they will do the job when I leave home for a next week

[Bas Pels]

if you give your fishes the oppostunity to breed inconveniently timed, they certainly will

Perhaps that's the best trick in the book: spend a few weeks away

[Piotr Koba]

Well said Bas. However, I'm not spending whole time in front of the tank with camera and strong flash taking pics of their every movement. I'm happy they aren't shy so there's no need to get them used to see my disguisting mug

[Piotr Koba]

Little OT, but it's my topic and I dan't want to litter the Forum with new stupid thread.
Anyway, I'm wondering what if... I add couple or two of Crenicichla compressiceps to my tank. Naturally I'd add some additional wood, hideouts, if needed. Would be those two cichlid species (taking into account my Geos will not exceed 20cm in lenght) good tankmates? Tank is 180cm, 450Ltr. However, I think I'm not gonna to keep all geos forever - want to let two pairs in here.

[daemon]

I have some small c.notophthalmus (2") in with some medium g.Altifrons largest 6" and have had no problems. Geophagus do not normally prey on small fishes as they like to eat mainly small food items for their size but if the compressiceps were realy small when you got them i would grow on in a seperate tank. Dwarf pikes grow very fast as they have a pretty short life span . If you could buy c.compressiceps at a decent size they would be fine as although they are the smallest of pikes they are reasonably chunky when adult

[Marcus]

Definitely not winemilleri.

They remind me very much of the Geo that comes in mixed with "Tapajos Redhead". Weidner refers to them as "Tapajos II" in his book.