Trapajos

[Tautog]

There are some really nice Red Head Trapajo Geophagus at Fish Gallery. They are still young maybe 4 inches.

I have a 150g XH tank with 7 juvenile healthy domestic Discus. They are and will continue to be my tank focus species. I also have Blue and Bolivian Ram dwarf cichlids and various schooling tetra types few cats.

Does anyone know if they are compatible with my flavor of peaceful SA community cichlids and schooling fish. Please note I keep the tank warm for obvious reason.

[troy tucker]

Tapaajos are very peaseful but they are hard on your plants. There are a few people that have Tapajos here. Hungvanvo, Aquabee, and my self. I'm sure there are others.
Geophagus means earth eater. Tapajos sift through the sand and eat the bio matter. Up rooting plants at the same time. You already have 2 tipe of geophagus. Blue Rams and Bolivian Ram are both Geophagus.
As for will they get along with your Discus? Yes they will. But will you be over stocking your tank?

[aquabee]

Tapajos are typically very peaceful, unless breeding. I think you may need more room to keep them though. You'll want to keep a minimum of 5 to have them the most comfortable, but people have kept fewer than those with success.

[Tautog]

Tapaajos are very peaseful but they are hard on your plants. There are a few people that have Tapajos here. Hungvanvo, Aquabee, and my self. I'm sure there are others.
Geophagus means earth eater. Tapajos sift through the sand and eat the bio matter. Up rooting plants at the same time. You already have 2 tipe of geophagus. Blue Rams and Bolivian Ram are both Geophagus.
As for will they get along with your Discus? Yes they will. But will you be over stocking your tank?

I picked up a pair one male and one female. Should I go back tomorrow and get two more or will a single pair be ok? I weeded out some of my catfish and my Bolivians to make room and try this Species. I also traded in two of my least attractive Discus to make room for two more attractive Discus. As Discus is still the focus of my tank.

[troy tucker]

Your 150g tank should be big enough for them. I would do like Bee said, get a group of 5. So add 3 more.

[danielp]

I have 4 that I got from FG. If yours are from the same parents or group they are going to be spectacular.

[Tautog]

Ok, I went back and picked up three more for a small colony of 5... 2 boys and 3 girls... here are the youngster's pictures... they started eating within a few minutes of moving into the home... they are a lot of fun to watch sifting through the sand and gravel... very active and will have to watch the Discus behaviour over next few weeks... at least one is hiding but I think it will improve.

[troy tucker]

They look great but they would be happier with sand as the substrate.

[Tautog]

I have a substrate consistency of 50 lbs of sand mixed with 75 lbs of gravel and anothe 15 lbs of slighter larger and darker stone. Most of the gravel was used to create higher substrate toward the back but I admitr after maintenance I've managed to move more gravel to front area.

I see them sifting the gravel mixed with sand. Are they at risk of getting gravel stuck in gills?

It's a huge project to change substrate. I'll keep a close eye on it.

[Tautog]

I have 4 that I got from FG. If yours are from the same parents or group they are going to be spectacular.

Thank you... If you get a moment do you mind posting some pictures? When did you get them? I like mine. Hope colors keep maturing.

[aquabee]

I would absolutely change the substrate. It is a large undertaking but well worth it.
They look a little small to be able to tell gender accurately. How were you able to tell?

[hungvanvo]

Hi Tautog, I am agree with Troy and Aquabee on the change the substrate. I use the Nature's Ocean Marine White Sand .1-.5mm and my fish love and I love to watch them happy with sifting the sand in the water. It is a lot of work and pain to change the substrate I just did my tropheus tank. you can change all grave onetime ( a lot of work and need back up water for your Dicus fish) second you can do grave scape 2/3 your old grave one side and 1/3 of fine sand another side. on this way you don't need take your old grave up one side it will make your tank look deeper and nice also you can keep all your plant on it. 1/3 of the tank just slowly so don't mess up your water. ( the sand I use , just clean one time and it ready for use) the best put sand in the water without cloudy that You sand in the bottle and upside down in the water and it will not cloudy water. you will feed the fish on the fine sand and they will love it. note don put the intake of the filter near by the fine sand it will get into the filter. just another project for you this week have fun.

[hungvanvo]

some pictures I just take. Sorry pic not clear due to glass scratch ( I bought it cheap so just for a grown tank not show tank $75 for 240 gal leak) hope you enjoy.IMG_4115-Optimized.jpgIMG_4117-Optimized.jpgIMG_4123-Optimized.jpgIMG_4124-Optimized.jpgIMG_4126-Optimized.jpg

[aquabee]

Oh my goodness! That is a LOT of tapajos!

[troy tucker]

Bee My Tapajos come from Hung. I drove all the way to beaumont to see them. Mush nicer then picture show.