Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus

[newworldan06]

Can anyone tell me any info about these guys I cant find any!! I got a 30 gallong planted tank with driftwood. Would they work in mine.

 

[Neil]

newworldan06,

The only person that has had this fish recently, that I know of, is Jeff Rapps. You can get a current stocklist by emailing him at [email protected].

Good luck,
Neil

 

[fishboy20]

There is a book about Eartheaters that is out with this species in it. All of the Gymnogeophagus species are found in areas further South in South America where most other cichlids do not exist (a few pikes, aequidens are still found down there as well). Therefore it is needed to let these guys go through a cool phase similar to the natives in North America (sunfish, bass, etc.). This is the only way to get these guys spawning and to prevent internal bacterial infections of them. A lot of people have kept them at higher temperatures and all have succumed to infection. They can take a higher temperature for short periods of time (upper 70's to low 80's, 3-4 months) but they like cooler temperatures down in 60's and can withstand temps in the 50's!
In the aquarium it is best to keep these group of fish at room temperature and only bumping up the temp. when you want to spawn them. It might even be worth while to throw them outside for a few months while the temperatures are a little lower to induce spawning. I have several friends that are just keeping them at room temperature and they seem fine. I would think a little more effort would be needed to spawn them however.
They are not picking about anything else except temperature. They take most foods and accept most water conditions. Regular water changes are great for these fish.
Jeff Rapps carries a lot of these fish. I think he has labiatus right now though. You can always send him an email and see if he can get them for you. Gymno's seem to be popping up everywhere right now. Lot's of collecting where they live. TFH has had several articles about these fish within the last year as well.