The Ultimate Centerpiece Fish: Geophagus altifrons Care and Breeding

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you want more information about potential tankmates check out these species profiles: Severum Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp-4e36DndeSpLc Angelfish Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boi7d5mli9iSebM Bristlenose Pleco Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIPXkKeghLCMbpY Clown Loach Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJaog5yLZdxsf7M Gourami Care: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anbJqpytpJKfmZY Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

[@jasonpeculiar]

Aw man, that fish is so cool! I wish I had a tank big enough for one of those. What an amazing looking fish. I can only imagine how beautiful and majestic a fully grown specimen must look in a good size tank. It's hard to grasp scale in a video sometimes, but that fish is super impressive!! Thanks for sharing Jason.

[@AlexK-ew1mo]

I was watching your live stream with KGT from long ago, while sifting through substrate, and heard this fish mentioned but couldn't Google it with sandy hands. And now here it is.

[@jessebelle6596]

Wow…what a superstar! Those colors are absolutely stunning! I can see what this is your favorite fish in the fish room! Love it! ❤️

[@bevfrigon7142]

Wow, this fish is absolutely stunning!! Your tank is Beautiful. I've been watching so many of your videos and just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying them. I love how you completely stay on subject and how humble you always are even though it is very apparent how totally knowledgeable you are. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise! 🇨🇦

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! Appreciate you being here!

[@JaredHIll13]

Im really diggin the background music. Beautiful fish, i have always wanted one

[@anthonyragan2696]

Beautiful fish. I've admired these before when you've shown them. I doubt I'll ever have a tank that large, but, if I do, this will be one of the inhabitants.

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

i adore the look of these geos

[@aquabeard6189]

I had to pick one up! After it grows out it'll look amazing with my severums in my 125!

[@imperialfish1922]

I’ve just brought one on your recommendation. Thank you

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@tylerjanasz361]

One of my dream fish for sure!

[@NotSure876]

Nice!! I was on the fence between a group of altifrons or sveni but went with the sveni

[@gerrymercado634]

They are awesome 😊

[@leedibiasio9229]

Putting these on my list of potentials for the 300

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Totally worth it!

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

Omg wow 👌 8years🤘

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

Good morning 🤘🏻🥴

[@darrylmoore5847]

Great video as always. This fish in my eyes is the most beautiful fish in the hobby.

[@kenji.23]

Wow amazing looking fish!

[@redcorsair14]

LOL I was a hair from picking one of these up yesterday. Ended up with two red spot severums instead in my 120g(160g with sump). Will make sure to get one next time when I pick up a Nicaragua cichlid and possibly a Uaru. They are $49ish in small size here.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Wow - that is pretty expensive!

[@elvinsworld11]

Lovely

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

I was soooo close to buying one of these yesterday and I have central and south’s American cichlids but not ones that would tolerate him

[@physicsariel9237]

Hey

[@joanvirgil6299]

Great video as always! Would you put 12 Congo, 2 red Bristlenose along with a few snails.? Tank size 125gal

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

With the geo? The only thing I might not add are the snails. They actually like to eat snails.

[@joanvirgil6299]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Wow didn't know that! Thanks always learning from you channels.

[@robertcarlson5989]

So gravel substrate will not kill the fish?

[@thehairywoodsman5644]

HAPPY FRIDAY ! tell someone you love them today .

[@LIONZeZ3792]

what do you think is the best lighting (model, brand anything) to show off their colors?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have been using the Aquaillumination Blade on the gallery tanks and love them!

[@LIONZeZ3792]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you!!

[@fishyabish9557]

I have a 90 gal with 5 Buenos Aires tetras 3 dwarf gourami and 5 Bolivian rams could I put a geophagus in there?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sometimes they don’t get along with Bolivian rams because they have similar coloration. If you do it just have a backup in case it doesn’t work out.

[@abubbleoff1742]

I have four geo svenis in a 125, Kinda of look the same?

[@naushad26100]

What is the exact age and size to breed this Geophaghus??

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It’s more about size, but it can take a few years before they will breed.

[@ChrisAce1661]

Just got a pair of babies today from the lfs I happen to work at for 30 bucks a piece and they already have nice color. That anyone's price if you walk into my store.

[@samiam159007]

Would you say that the Geo Surinamese (red stripe) looks similar to the Altifrons? I have two red stripes now that are still young. Wondering if they will look similar to your Altifrons here when they get bigger.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Very much so - the main difference is the prominence of the black spot.

[@samiam159007]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics excellent!

[@sergeiz.5815]

Question. I have a 20g tall tank I got as a starter kit. The light that came attached to cover seems not as bright as I would like it. Can I add a secondary light? Do the fish care ? Thanks 😊 no rush on reply

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sure

[@sergeiz.5815]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics appreciate your fast replies I'm sure you are very busy:) I work at Amazon fun place to work but I always spend my money at local mom and pop stores :) Im old school

[@davidjones7503]

Might be a dumb question... but can you keep adult Altifrons withtetras like black neon or cardinals?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Possibly if the tetras are full grown. I might try it with a small group first :-)

[@davidjones7503]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was thinking the same thing. Maybe start with juvenile geos around adult schooling tetras?

[@richardfridie8963]

I would like to have 3 geophagus in my 125. If there are multiple types, rather than several of the same type, of geophagus in tank will they cross breed? Or, does that eliminate the breeding issue.

[@Journey11]

Hey.. how much does it cost to run a 125 tank each month ?

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

So I can’t fit anything bigger than a 75 but what would you think 🤔 to someone growing one out for someone in a 40 breeder. To me technically that’s like homing for someone to adopt. Petco has them

[@mikeywalnuts7015]

As somebody that works at a pet store I would avoid growing out these kind of fish that need 6ft+ tanks if you’re going to have the fish store rehome them for you. Growing stuff out and trading them in is great when they’re fish that will do great in a 55-75 gallon because those tanks are so popular that it’s not hard to find a new home for them and may be gone in a day or two. Stuff like angels, Congo tetras, rainbowfish, Cory cats etc. Especially the ones like Congo’s and rainbows that color up much more once they have size on them. When someone turns in a 6-10” cichlid or catfish or anything else that’s large it’s a lot harder to find someone that has space for it and you might be sitting on it for weeks. So, yeah, if you want to grow stuff out and trade it in and you want to have a good relationship with your LFS I would focus on community type fish that they can turn over quickly. Unless of course your LFS specializes in monster fish then you can probably throw everything I said out the window

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

@@mikeywalnuts7015 nah I was just referring to a friend that has larger tanks but can’t get them when they are little and doesn’t wanna buy them big so I was asked to grow one out but biggest tank in my house is a 75

[@Cichlid_4_ever]

@@mikeywalnuts7015 I’m not all for rehoming fish but can’t see the need to put a 2” fish in a 6’ tank right away. I love growing out fish just can’t keep large ones so I don’t get them just love the idea of keeping them until they’re large then moving to bigger tanks

[@MosarieMusic]

You said 75 as a minimum. Is 90 still pushing that limit?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yes but it can work.

[@bailey2913]

10” err yeah ok, I think you need to buy a new measuring stick lol 😂

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

From tip of the middle of the tail to nose - for sure

[@kens.2753]

just add sand over the gravel.

[@Joker-bx4rk]

Geophagus altifrons are beautiful but don't be fooled into thinking they are peaceful they can definitely hold there own I like the geophagus surinamensis it's gets a bit larger than the altifrons and again geophagus surinamensis are not peaceful if you want a peaceful geophagus I would suggest the redhead tapajos. As far as tank mates go the altifrons and surinamensis are actually very active swimmers when in a school they just constantly on the move.. so they are okay with other active swimmers just like most cichlids if another fish can fit in its mouth it's food geophagus are just the same.... again get a breeding pair of altifrons and tell me they are peaceful lol I don't know of any peaceful cichlid when it comes too breeding time...

[@voultronix761]

Can they hold their own against a green terror

[@Joker-bx4rk]

@@voultronix761 A group of 5-8 geophagus should be the minimum group size and these will form a noticeable dominance hierarchy this is where geophagus shine its a shame to see only one in a aquarium.... in regards too can they hold there own against a orange saum green terror yes the altifrons grow about 8-9 inches in some cases 10 I have currently 5 geophagus tapajos and a geophagus surinamensis which schools with the tapajos in with 4 green terrors (orange saum) the geophagus surinamensis often tells off and chases the green terrors where as the tapajos will stay away from them the altifrons are very similar to the surinamensis in looks but the surinamensis grows a few inches larger.. just to mention I have 5 surinamensis on order as I'm after a group minimum size of 4 inches...

[@Joker-bx4rk]

@@voultronix761 again I fully disagree with the altifrons being a centre piece fish as described by jason as they are a schooling fish and thrive as a group not solo so to say the ultimate centre piece just don't sound right...

[@voultronix761]

@@Joker-bx4rk thanks! I have 1 geophagus brasiliensis that I picked up from someone moving houses. But have 3 3 inch altifrons that are in an angelfish community. The brasiliensis is the tank boss of the semi predator tank. I want to add the altifrons but I know I need more but just scared because my nicaragua cichlid can be aggressive

[@voultronix761]

Also my cichlids are mostly all juveniles at 4 inches

[@johneyaazad9101]

Dude you seem like a nice guy, but you have no clue how to keep that fish happy... they NEED sand, and it was your video that made me buy them. I would post a video of what they look like when they are happy... They sift through that sand ALL day long and they are like little puppies bouncing around. KNOW your fish... the same video that made me buy these fish is the same video that made me super sad!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have been keeping these fish for decades. Sand is highly preferred - yes. To say they need it or they won’t be “happy” is a stretch for sure.

[@williamjamescavejr9423]

That fish is an absolute stud .... It's makes a sevrum look small. Perfect specimen.

[@paochicken]

Give my man some sand.

[@neetachoudhary3980]

Good looking fish mate. That gold severum is getting old, could see the ageing effects on that fish. Btw as your 150 is a 4ft what glass thickness is it made up of actually? 12mm ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya, she's definitely starting to show her age. I had a male gold in the same tank for years and they breed a couple times, but she's well past her prime.

[@davefromiowa3843]

Wish I could have a bigger tank, would love to have a geophagus altifron.

[@Great_Lakes_Discus]

They grow supper slow. You could have 2 in a 40 for 1.5 to 2 years

[@karenaubrey5737]

Good Morning

[@wendihamlett105]

Soo pretty. My biggest tank is 75 gallon and I can’t even imagine that fish in there! 😳

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I had a full grown heckelii in a 75 gallon and it looked a little cramped - got about the same size as this guy.

[@johnwood738]

Yes first and first only good thing about being laid up.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Way to look on the bright side!

[@Roonlovesfish3874]

Wow! The fish looks absolutely stunning!! Also, I love the blue gourami. Cheers! 🙂

[@jacks4733]

Nice!

[@BrimstoneAquatics]

Sadly I work the next swap but should be sending my girlfriend to get one for me 😍

[@nazeemameen1253]

It's indeed a superstar! I was planning on keep Geos with Discus until I saw this video. Any particular reason why those two fish cannot be kept together? Also, will Uaru or Green Chromides do well with Geophagus?

[@dylanc.5345]

I'm not an expert by any means, but discus need temperatures closer to the mid 80s whereas he said this one likes high 70s or low 80s

[@Runnygraph20]

I have my geos,gold rams and discus at 82 to 83 and all are doing great i seen someone who had all together in a tank i was just thinking of putting them all together to grow up together but idk yet have discus in seprate tank right now.

[@rara5212]

@@dylanc.5345 Discus need the same temperature as all the other fish coming from that habitat! It is not like that discus wear a thermosuit!

[@CHAISOICY]

I have a geophagus surinamensis with my discus at a temperature of 85-87 degrees. Does just fine if not better. 👍🏽

[@rara5212]

@@CHAISOICY well fine if you like keeping them that warm... I am sure both are doing perfect with a temp around 78. As long as you don't feed s**t like beef heart!

[@dis82]

Altifrons and geophagus fish all prefer to be in groups

[@melhernandez6987]

Excellent video I love your content I have one question though what is a good online shop to buy geos? I haven't had good experience with online shopping.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe The Wet Spot?

[@FLNYFish]

So beautiful.

[@adamlewis5367]

Do you think it would work out to have a German blue ram and a Bolivian ram in a 75 gallon community tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can be hit or miss. Sometimes they leave each other alone and other times one chases the other around.

[@adamlewis5367]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you.

[@legionaquatics]

Such a beautiful fish I understand why it’s your favourite fish in the fish room

[@JacobDaDJ]

Jacob gang

[@jamesgreen9372]

Thanks for the spices profile and insight!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

I only have a 65g tank so I've gone for the 'Tapajos', if I ever get a bigger set up, these will be on my hit list for sure!

[@camerondahlgren9208]

I've got a 125gal I've added to the collection and I'm looking to stock after cycling has finished. I've been considering the altifrons and/or the albino threadfin acara. Would these species do well with each other? As solo fish, or could I do a few of each?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You could probably keep them together. Multiples could work.

[@Great_Lakes_Discus]

Geophagus altifrons don't cause problem but when confronted they fight back every single time

[@willkirk8011]

Is it ok to put a Geophagus in a tank with only Fluval Stratum to start growing out until I get my 135G set up? I know it's best if I use sand and plan to with the 135.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It should work for a little while.

[@ericstone1642]

👍👍👍👍*

[@passenger3]

Frontosa (kigoma) in with south Americans ? Wth..two totally different water parameters. You do realise Frontosa need 9+ p.h

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have 80+ tanks. Some with Africans and some with South and Central American cichlids and 100s of other species of fish from all over the world. I’ll let you in on a little secret - every single tank has the same water parameters.

[@StoneyKate]

Would peacock cichlids be good tankmates? Don't want to cause problems

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Geos get bullied

[@apss5736]

at my local fish store they have a few with severums , flagtal prochilodus , freshwater stingrays and a big adonis pleco

[@jsmartin1300]

Beautiful! It it ok to only get one? I have 3 bichirs, 5 clown loaches, and 10 giant danios in a 125 planted with sand on the bottom.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yes!

[@RyanDahn]

Would an Altifrons go well with an Oscar given enough space?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Ya - that could work!

[@adamtucker6970]

So I’m looking to buy one of these fish on your video the geophagus altfons but I’m not sure good breeder but also looking for one that’s about 4 inches already

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe The Wet Spot?

[@larrycung9131]

What’s the black and white stripped fish in the background?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe the Frontosa? More of a dark blue color

[@paulkruger491]

I want one. I wonder if a good match with Parrot fish. But I'm hearing you say 75gal to small 😢

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They work ok with parrots

[@callenclarke371]

Excellent video. Thank you for this.

[@josephdavis556]

What stocking combinations would you do for a 220 gal aquarium?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Geo and angels!

[@antjohnson4236]

I have a school of 12 silver dollars, will they get along with a group of these geophagus?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Most likely it will be fine.

[@skipsnapdoesfish8457]

After seeing your geophagus, it makes not feel bad for putting my red head tapajos on sand lol

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

They certainly do better on sand, but they also do fine on gravel.

[@donhangani]

What is the name of the golden fish swimming around @1:00?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe the Ctenopoma?

[@AquaticArk0513]

Is it okay to keep them with bigger gravel My gracious is not sharp but it is large

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It’s definitely not ideal?

[@milkandcookyz]

I'm deciding between G. Altifons and G. Tapajos....ill probably stock whichever I can purchase first.

[@jopurrin]

Do you still have this fish? He'd be 10 now? Love it!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yes I do!

[@alifewithpoetry]

Wow beautiful 🤩

[@Atrocious1]

i love the Altifron! my second favorite behind the Geophagus tapajos. I'm a huge fan of Geophagus!

[@keepamerica2astrong280]

Hey from South Carolina. Great looking fish. Nice tank. Thanks for the vid...

[@nick92028]

Do they like to be in groups? or all by themselves?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Either is fine, but if kept in groups it's best to have at least a 6ft tank.

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Without going to extreme efforts, how many species of geophagus are available to the hobbyists out there and how would YOU rank them on a, "It will be mine. Oh yes. It will be mine." scale.

[@2017Redsoxfan]

What about German Rams?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Because they look so similar I have found the geos are more likely to chase the rams.

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

Beautiful fish, great colours.

[@saturnslipper]

I would be so tempted to make this a colorful, mostly geophagus and clown loach tank. That would be a living art piece. Thanks for sharing your beauty with the rest of us dreamers. 💙

[@ar0d422]

How long before it looks like this?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It took years for him to grow large and get the trailers (maybe 4-5 years)?

[@tinadoyle3803]

How about convicts ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I probably wouldn’t keep them with geos - they are a little too aggressive.

[@Evil_Genius_888]

So not a fish I can put in my new 20g cube? lol! Beautiful fish though. My dream tank would be a 4’ x 2’.

[@josephdavis556]

What stocking combinations would you do for a 220 gal aquarium?

[@joejones56]

Just watched the first video from 8 years ago.. now this. Love these fish.. next tank

[@Tasha13.]

Gorgeous fish. I have a brasiliensis. Can you do a video about them?

[@tamera6853]

Simply Amazing, I just found a young Geo fanin I? Love it!

[@ert-wert]

Ooof those sponge filters were certainly struggling lol

[@jamesmills1500]

$29 CND up here in the north

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That’s somewhat normal if they are over 3” around here.

[@amymandeville8342]

This fish is just beautiful. Is there also a small version of this species that is suitable for nano tanks?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I wish! The smallest is the Geophagus tapajos, but even they require 40 breeders or a 4ft tank. Rams are probably the closest thing to them in a smaller package.

[@amymandeville8342]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Rams don't have those gorgeous trailing fins, though. Maybe I'll do some research and see what I can find. 🙂🙂🙂

[@rara5212]

@@amymandeville8342 bolivian rams do have these fins quite a bit!

[@rara5212]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics which ones are the second smallest after the tapajos in your opinion? Thanks

[@amymandeville8342]

@@rara5212 mine are young and still developing their fins. I'm hoping they grow some beautiful ones!

[@VinnieMac]

geos are my favorite. i have a sveni and they are just gorgeous

[@mizukage796]

Could I keep dwarf cichlids with them!?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

As long as the tank is large enough it can work.

[@mizukage796]

@PrimeTimeAquatics is a 125 gallon big enough!?

[@tcmarineaddiction6609]

What an amazing fish I want one in my 120 tall

[@michaelmanley6504]

How would they do with a fresh water ray?

[@markhunter2244]

Wow almost missed this one. This is the number 1 fish on my bucket list of fish to get. Simply stunning 🤩