Geophagus ID, once and once again

[Piotr Koba]

Just wondering... might be my water parameters (pH 7.5, gh 14) a reason that stops them from breeding? They seem to be adult enough to spawn, and nothing happens. I'm not frustrated (yet), but I've seen many Geo species that have spawned at 10cm TL. And they are 12-15cm.

[Piotr Koba]

Some male's displaying. Females seem to be not interested yet.

[Piotr Koba]

I'm still waiting for their first successful spawn, need to lower the pH and hardness (no time for that lately), but several interesting things have happened in the tank recently. Now I have three dominant males in the tank, two of them displaying to the same female all the time. One of them has been buliding quite large crater sticked to the piece of wood - reminds me of technique that is used by some Rift cichlids! Never expected something like that from Geophagus.



The third male turned out to be territorial just a couple of days ago, it rarely attacks other two males as his territory is hidden behind the largest piece of bogwood.

1-first territorial male, 2- second, with the largest crater, 3-the "newest" territorial, maintains his home in quite dark place, while he is the most colorful fish in the tank:

also displays (sometimes) to the smallest female:

while two others fight for the biggest female favors


I've got a little bit bored with them during winter months, but now I'm really enjoying these fish!

[afraone]

nice looking fish

[Alex Odesit]

Piotr,
Nice fish and I like the tank set up, neat and plenty swimming space.
Alex

[Piotr Koba]

Thank you.

[Michael Kwist]

Very nice pictures Piotr! I hope for you that they will spawn soon!

[Piotr Koba]

Thanks mate, I hope too! They're gonna get RO water change at last, maybe this would kick them to do the job

[Piotr Koba]

I think I've got 5m + 2f combination; not good at all. Males are quarreling all the time, which prevents any kind of breeding attempt. I assume I have to move three (or four? ) spare males out of the tank, in order to spawn them.
Any ideas?

[Piotr Koba]

No big interest to the topic, but I'm not surprised

Anyway, I have given three males away, and I have two pairs left in the tank. The bigger male is still the boss, and recently interrupted smaller pair spawning, so that it didn't even started, actually. I thought I might add some additional cichlids (I know they may grow large, in sufficient space up to 35cm!) but a trio of subadult, smaller eartheaters could do the job (which means to encourage cf. altifrons to spawn). I don't know whether it's good idea, or not, that's why I am asking this question here.
My ideas are e.g. G. parnaibae/sp. Pindare, taeniopareius, winemilleri, or the most possible sp. Red Head Tapajos. To my knowledge all of those are small, active, and assertive cichlids, and getting small group of young adults won't be so costy as it is with more rarely encountered species.

TIA,
Piotr

[Florent]

G. winemilleri is a big species, just like G. altifrons