Geophagus sp. 'Redhead Tapajos' pair guarding

[notho2000]

I have two pair of Geophagus sp.' Redhead Tapajos' that have been reliable spawners, laying eggs every two to three weeks. This pair has not had good success keeping their eggs protected from other tankmates until now. The eggs are within a day of hatching and the parents have been very attentive to the task at hand. The male is getting on in years (8 years) and I decided to place him with a two year old female. He was in a batchelor tank with several other 'rough and tumble' males for the last three years. I'm sure he now thinks he 'died and went to heaven'. Can you detect a smile on his face?? His girl has an attractive golden sheen that I have not seen in other females. Here's a video of them doing their thing.
-Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiReCa4sIEY

[zenins]

Very nice female, did you get her from Spencer Jack there in Winnipeg ?

[notho2000]

As far as I know, the female wasn't from Spencer's Afishionados. I picked her up from a Winnipeg Fish Forum member and I think he said it was from Yew Wing's Fish Gallery in Winnipeg. The male and my other pair are wild fish from Oliver Lucanus's Below Water in Montreal. I presently have about 200 F1's at 1-1.25" coming up from the other pair.
-Jim

[LEG-IT]

Hi jim,
Congratulations on the spawn!
Love your Eartheaters mate, one of my Tapajos female is suffering a similar problem as your male, she has HITH and some wierd stuff on her fill plate, Kinda looks like pimples..
I know mine was caused by getting repeatedly attacked during Breeding and being under constant stress by the Other males ,just wondering did yours suffer a similar problem?

Anyhow congrats on the spawn! Please keep us updated!

My other Pair of F1 G.Tapajos orangehead spawned 2nights ago! so keen to see how that goes!

~Jonathan

[notho2000]

Thanks Jonathan,
My male was in a 180g with several large CA's and was the only geo in there. I know it was very stressful for him but frankly I had no choice at the time but to house him in there. He held his own but did contract HITH quite a ways back. Even with the move to his present tank (a much more "sane" and peaceful setting), the HITH persists. He also has developed a few small white spots on or near his gill plates. I have not been treating it but am watching it closely. It doesn't seem to affect the fish behaviorally but it certainly is unsightly and can't feel very good.
Congrats on your 'orange heads' spawn.