Anyone knowledgeable on Geophagus mirabilis

[anewbie]

This isn't a dwarf cichlid but i wanted to check if anyone was familiar with Geophagus mirabilis; specifically their condition for keep. There is an amazonian article where they were kept in relatively hard-water (480tds/ph 8.2) but their origin area appear to be soft water so a bit confused is they are that adaptable or if they come from some niche that is indeed hard.

 

[Mike Wise]

The Rio Aripuana is a blackwater river, so the water should be soft and acidic. I've never been interested in keeping larger geophagines, so never kept G. mirabilis. That being said, many blackwater species can adapt to harder water but it is unlikely that they can reproduce in it. Personally, I'd breed them like A. sp. Abacaixis, which come from a similar environment.

 

[anewbie]

The Rio Aripuana is a blackwater river, so the water should be soft and acidic. I've never been interested in keeping larger geophagines, so never kept G. mirabilis. That being said, many blackwater species can adapt to harder water but it is unlikely that they can reproduce in it. Personally, I'd breed them like A. sp. Abacaixis, which come from a similar environment.

Do you know if they are gentle enough to keep with dwarf cichild in a large enough aquarium ?

 

[Mike Wise]

I actually have no idea, but I imagine it would work if the tank is a 135 gallon tank and suitably decorated so both have their needed biotope.

 

[anewbie]

The aquarium will be 8 ft long and 4 ft wide; but only 22 inches tall since i have short arms - so approx 400+ gallons.

 

[Mike Wise]

In a properly decorated tank of that size I see no real problems.