How big do Geophagus get?

What do Geophagus altifrons eat?

Like G. altifrons, it is very peaceful, being compatible with most other peaceful species tolerant of the same water quality and it will not consume fish a few millimetres in length and bigger. Avoid keeping it with benthic species. As with most Geophagus species, feed on smaller foods such as tubifex or artemia.

What do you feed altifrons?

The Altifrons is an omnivore that generally feeds from the bottom of the aquarium (but will surface for frozen bloodworms) and should be fed a variety of foods, such as live, prepared, frozen or freeze-dried: brine shrimp, bloodworms, blackworms, krill, flake food, and soft, sinking, Cichlid pellets.

Where do altifrons live?

They are native to various rivers and streams within the Amazon River basin of South America. Like other Geophagus species, the Altifrons will continuously sift through sand in search of food.

Is there a difference between male and female Geophagus altifrons?

Altifrons also have (to varying intensity) a black ocellus spot on and below their upper lateral line. Although a difficult species to sex, the males are generally larger than females. How to successfully keep Geophagus altifrons in the home aquarium.

How to keep Geophagus altifrons in the home aquarium?

How to successfully keep Geophagus altifrons in the home aquarium. Altifrons require an aquarium of at least 55 gallons and should be provided with a fine, sand substrate and multiple places where they can find shelter (driftwood, rock structures, or dense vegetation).

What do altifrons like to eat?

Altifrons will sift and burrow through substrate and have been known to snack on some live plant species, so live plants that attach to driftwood and rocks, or potted plants are recommended. Altifrons prefer warm, soft, acidic, and clean water as well as areas of low or subdued lighting where they can sift around for snacks.

Why don’t geophagine fish like gravel?

It is this behaviour which gives rise to the common name of ‘eartheaters’ for this and related species. Gravel is therefore not a good choice, as the fish can ingest it and it can become trapped in the delicate gills. The tank should be very well-filtered as Geophagines are susceptible to both hole in the head disease and neuromastic pitting.

Can you keep Geophagus altifrons with Stingrays?

Some aquarists keep Geophagus spp. alongside freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon which in many cases has proven successful but in some has resulted in them disappearing at night (!). G. altifrons is gregarious and tends to exist in loose aggregations unless spawning, with juveniles in particular displaying strong grouping berhaviour.

How do you take care of a Geophagus?

Water: Typically soft and acidic, but most related Geophagus are relatively adaptable and easy to cater for. Aquarium: Keep a group of 4-6 juveniles in a group in a large (120cm/4′ plus) aquarium furnished with open sand and bogwood.

How many altifrons should be in a group?

G. altifrons is gregarious and tends to exist in loose aggregations unless spawning, with juveniles in particular displaying strong grouping berhaviour. A group of 5-8 individuals should be the minimum purchase and these will form a noticeable dominance hierarchy.

Why is my goldfish dying in my Aquarium?

Poor water quality is perhaps the leading cause of all goldfish issues. The fish prefer cooler water— around 74 degrees —than tropical fish. Goldfish also put out more excrement than tropical fish, which translates to the risk of higher nitrate levels that can cause them to feel poorly.

Do fish need gravel for aquariums?

Gravel is something that is needed to promote a healthy environment for fish to thrive in. Keeping this in mind, while it may not be a necessity, it should be your priority. Got your answer? Good! Now stick because there is so much for you to learn about substrate in general and gravel in particular.

Are goldfish more prone to nitrates than tropical fish?

Goldfish also put out more excrement than tropical fish, which translates to the risk of higher nitrate levels that can cause them to feel poorly. Use your aquarium test kit to make sure the ammonia and nitrite levels are at zero and your nitrate levels haven’t exceeded healthy levels.

Is pea gravel safe for aquariums?

Pea gravel is safe for aquariums. A good approach is to mix pea gravel with some other substrate and use the mixture. Can you put rocks in a fish tank?

What is the best stingray species to avoid?

Best avoided are aggressive or territorial substrate -dwelling species, or those requiring harder water. Some aquarists keep Geophagus spp. alongside freshwater stingrays of the genus Potamotrygon which in many cases has proven successful but in some has resulted in them disappearing at night (!).

How to move aquarium with fish?

Make sure your aquarium is acclimated for the fish When you move, you don’t just get up and move in one day to an empty place. You get the new place set up before you make the move. Similarly, you want to make sure that the fish when you bring it home, you bring it to the environment it is used to so it can easily adapt to the shift.

How to get rid of goldfish in fish tank?

There are a few ways you can do it, but a simple and relatively painless solution is to use clove oil. Mix a few drops of clove oil into warm water and then add the water into your fish’s tank. If you only want to kill 1 goldfish, remove it from your tank and place it in a bowl of clean water before you add the clove mixture.

Can you put pea gravel in a fish tank?

Pea gravel is safe for aquariums. A good approach is to mix pea gravel with some other substrate and use the mixture. Can you put rocks in a fish tank? You can put rocks in a fish tank, but be careful about the type of rocks you use.

Which fish are sensitive to nitrate?

Camargo et. al. 2004 found that crustaceans (shrimp and crayfish), amphibians (axolotl) and fish eggs and larvae from sensitive high mountain stream fish species are much more sensitive to nitrate and should have water with 60 ppm nitrate or less.

How much nitrate is toxic to goldfish?

Toxicity depends on the species, with pond fish generally being better able to handle high levels than fish from mountain streams. Because of inadvertent selective breeding, common goldfish can withstand very high levels of nitrate (>4,400). The level of nitrate one wants to hold determines the frequency of the water changes.

What should the nitrate level be in a fish tank?

All three levels (Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate) should be zero. Unfortunately, the only thing that rids nitrates from your tank is live plants, so this is why we do water changes. Without live plants there will always be some nitrates in the tank until you remove them by doing a water change.