75 gallon Heavily Planted Rio Tapajos Tank

[Shane Puthuparambil]

Hi All,

I will be setting up a 75g Rio Tapajos Tank soon. My primary purpose of setting up this tank is growing many large epiphytic plants and breeding some Geophagus sp. Rio Tapajos. I have the tank, will be collecting the wood and other items after my final exams (around Feb 15th or so). Can't wait to setup the new tank!

I need some stocking help. I am not sure of what different fish species I can include with the tapajos, but in the future I plan on adding some wild angelfish in with them. I will probably end up adding some Nannostomus Species and GBR with the Geos too.

My LFS is the Wet Spot Tropical Fish, an LF as rebound for their stock all across the United States, so sourcing fish is not generally a difficulty for me, but price definitely is.

Any advice? Suggestions? Comments? Concerns? Feel free to ask! Can't wait to get together some good ideas and information to start the new tank!

Shane Puthuparambil


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[Mike Wise]

Avoid GBR in the set-up. First, they are a bit small even for a relatively peaceful Geophagus. Second, they don't do well at temperatures below 84°F/29°C. Third, they come from nowhere near the Rio Tapajos, being a domestic strain of an Orinoco species. I'd suggest something like Laetacara curviceps or even Dicrossus maculatus.