Why I Regret Buying My Geophagus - South American Cichlid - Geophagus Brasiliensis - Earth Eaters

[@Constantine_Cvl8]

One thing that I didn't hear being mentioned in this video is that Geophagus Brasiliensis may not actually be an actual "geophagus" species, as many people have mentioned that they don't sift as much sand as the other geophagus species, they take mouthfulls but they spit the sand back out like normal cichlids, and the fact that they grow fast is pretty uncharacteristic of geophagus since they tend to grow slow.

[@Constantine_Cvl8]

Also another obvious thing that they have is their temperament, as they are aggressive for a geophagus species from SA. And their mouth is also not as turned downwards as the other geophagus.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yes it’s very interesting! I don’t know why I didn’t mention it actually as I’m sure I mentioned it in their care video! I’ll put this comment at the top as it’s good information for people to know!

[@Korbert]

Geophagus Brasiliensis have more in common with Andinoacara than Geophagus. Both the look, behaviour and aggresiveness are more similair to a green terror than any Geophagus. It's like an inbetween species between the two families. Time will tell where scientists decide to place Brasiliensis, but it's not unlikely it will get its own family name as the only species. Either way, wheter its reclassified as Andinoacara or not, its days in Geophagus family are numbered.

[@5milemacc737]

Yea I have a couple of Geophagus Tapajos that I’ve had for over 1 year and they are still maybe only 3.5 inches.

[@Gilsfishroom]

I was considering one of these for my South American community tank, but now I will give it a miss and stick with the Geos I already have. Good to hear an honest opinion backed up by experience. Thanks for the video.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks for watching and I’m glad the video helped someone 👍

[@14.ghoullz]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy are there any other fish that look like geophagus? I love how they look

[@jrthejuggernaut6317]

@@14.ghoullz you get dwarf cichlids so Apistogrammas, Rams etc they’re all very colourful and similar looking.

[@moe21061]

I had large male in a 6ft community tank for years and he was so docile and gentle I could hand feed him he would swim into the net if I ever needed to take him out he was a very interactive fish compared to any other fish I’d ever had

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

That's the "let's go" fish attitude, 1st I've heard of it (Getting in the net)

[@reignmans]

during my time in the hobby i had around 10 Brasiliensis in different points of time. 8/10 of them were mellow and "soft". out of the 2 i left out 1 was overly aggressive and the other was overly curious and never stopped moving around. all of them were living in community tanks , when the overly aggressive appeared and started commiting murder... i moved him to my semi-aggressive tank with Carpintes and he turned real quiet real quick. i generally never had any problems with aggression from my Brasiliensis, but i guess its in the specific fish. After all cichlids come with temperaments.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had three and this one was by far the most aggressive. You Just never know what you’re getting with cichlids 😅

[@supraman88t]

I share a lot of your same opinions. Beautiful fish btw. I have a 55 gallon planted community tank; had a Jurupari with a similar temperament. He ended up getting not necessarily a bully at feeding time, but assertive enough to shy away timid fish. Unfortunately I had to rehome him. It’s sad. And same thing. He was my favorite fish, but also my asshole fish. I’d honestly love a Geophagus only tank. They’re great fish.

[@voultronix761]

Had to rehome my brasiliensis , grew fast and bullied everything else. Nice video 100% behind the reasons!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thank you for watching and for commenting! Definitely fast growing fish!

[@nanafish7845]

I have 4 geos in a 75 gallon, 2 tapajos and 2 altifrons, 2 plecos, 6 severums, a fire mouth and some Dennison barbs. No issues with any aggression anywhere

[@Enjoylife-2000]

6 severums….. wow

[@Aquagold.goldysingh1313]

So beautiful fish..amazing information ..good job. .goldy

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks as always Goldy!

[@julioleon2873]

beautiful fish ! but, yes you are absolutely correct. while back tried doing a pair & the pairing aggressiveness was intolerable with other habitants in tank. someone told me its not really a community fish, do a species only a species only tank instead. ended up doing 3 m 4 fems in a 125 gal. great advise I was given, it did indeed calm things down allot. they established there own pecking order, everything was much better. they still chased but not nearly as before when it was community tank. ended up keeping them for a few yrs without much issue.. although their digging & messing with everything in the tank did not stop. but wow in a group did they did color so much more, very deep reds. good luck with him, don't give up on him he's beautiful. prime time aquatics has a video on black sand with a group they have of about 6 or 7 ,take a look at it, your going to be impressed with how they look.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks for the comment Julio! I will check out that video and I’m glad you had success in the end with the 125 Gal!!

[@markcox8956]

Great video. I was thinking of buying one , but you only hear every body singing their praises….

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Glad I can help! They’re great looking fish in the tank but too much hassle!

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

There was a Geophagus at my LFS and his tank was always banked up with sand on one side. 😂 They're gorgeous fish, but I think they're best admired from afar for me. 😊

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Haha! They could definitely win a sandcastle building contest!

[@MakoyUnggoy]

These are not the fish for an average sized tank, great Geo's for a smaller set up would be the Geophagus Tapajos, better colours, smaller size, and less aggressive

[@TheKlumpman]

I agree These can get you questioning why fish why!

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Definitely! There is no taming this beast haha

[@lastditch727]

Sveni were going to be my next group but ive decided against it. Im going to go with congo tetras and rainbowfish instead and keep my tank entirely chill with clown and dojo loaches, roselines and ebas.

[@samhennies6493]

They are my favorites. Had a breeding pair in a 29. I know that was too small. They grew! He let me rub his head. I could hear them spitting out rocks from my bed room. I’d like to get them again. Hard to find.

[@bigfishlad4847]

Great video Jordan 👌💯

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks mate! I do still like Cichlids 😅😂

Here in Brazil, these fish have no value whatsoever for aquariums, I have always found them beautiful, people only fish them to eat, they are very common here.

[@Rip-w8w]

How are they as a food fish? And taste quality?

@@Rip-w8w I don't know why I don't eat it, but my wife said that its meat is very similar to tilapia fish.

[@vishpersaud7825]

I bought this fish because of its beautiful colors. Immediately I noticed my new fish was a homicidal maniac. It attacked my Tapajos, Acaras and Severum so I decided to put it in my nephew's 125G tank. I couldn't believe it when I saw him trying to bully a Green Terror. The only fish he didn't mess with is the giant Oscar. Unfortunately I'm going to rehome it because I don't have another tank just for one fish.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks for your anecdote, I do like “homicidal maniac” 😅 it’s a shame these fish seem to be great or homicidal maniacs!

[@alaskajdw]

Thanks. Very informative

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thank you!

[@emerg2470]

Ive seen these big type of geos being house with bigger SA cichlids in community like oscars, severums but they get huge and ive seen they are aggressive as well.

[@michaelanctil5475]

What size aquarium do you have him in? I am interested in getting some with other large south American Cichlids for a new 90 gallon.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

It’s currently in approximately 70 gallons 👍

[@miguelvillareal8300]

Looks like a hybrid. Geo+green terror maybe 🤔?

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

You never know it could be 🤷🏻‍♂️😂 it would explain a lot 😂

[@StigPrice]

Ive a flowerhorn. Its the exact same problems lol its why FH keepers keep them in single species tanks (often with 0 substrate, decorations or plants)... the thing about these big south American cichlids is that they are proper wet pets.. (oscars in particular are extremely personable).. they just have this thing about them that as you say, is like owning a big dog in the tank. Beta fish can be similar. But ultimately...flowerhorns and oscars for me are the best but also worst fish to own in the hobby.

[@lynnducker]

Great.. I just bought one😮. It's in a 90 gallon with a seveni, an Angel fish, two sevrums and 6 pearl gouramis

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Good luck 😂 I’ve heard mixed stories about these guys. Mines was just a very large dominant male! You should be fine

[@Nephilim12340]

I just bought 10 fry. I plan on selling 7 or 8. I also have severums and firemouths(bothaddults and fry)

[@5milemacc737]

I have a gold severum in a 55g and it’s a similar situation. Any non pleco fish I add they will fight or eat.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yeah, it’s pretty frustrating

[@martin4444ish]

A "super aggressive" geo ???? I'm sorry but I don't believe that, and it's not true. You have a geo with an aggressive personality it's rare amd your painting them all with the same brush. This is putting people off a brilliant and very none aggressive fish

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I’ve witnessed it and other people have commented with the same experience. There is also debate to Brasiliensis being part of the Geophagus family and this behaviour supports part of that argument.

[@Fred-eg9sx]

Severum are so chill tho

[@RonGallardo777]

Puffer fish won’t bother Cory or your other fishes? What tank mates are good for puffer fish

[@BF_games]

Looks like you've gotten rid of yours, shame, but to anyone else considering - I'd recommend a coarser substrate. Mine loves sifting through the black gravel substrate that I have, and the larger, heavier pellets are heavy enough to always sink and settle right away, sand seems wayyyyy too messy of a choice

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

No, I still have him. Yes I would agree maybe go with something other than sand but I will admit he keeps the sand pristine 👍

[@oscardean6351]

You just need to put the guy in a bigger tank with like-minded fish and you’ll be fine ,maybe get a 6 foot tank 👍☹️ Or go for the smaller redheads or Salveni

[@jonnagy9765]

My geo is ok, keep it in a 140ltr tank with 2 electric blue jack dempseys, a blue acara, 2 pakistani loach and 13 platinum barbs, i like the fact that they dig it keeps the sand clean but they dont half rip up the plants

[@chico6085]

These are the most aggressive geophagus. Go sveni or tapajos and you shouldn't have any of these problems except the digging

[@HogwartsBasement]

Someone that speaks my language and is into fish 🐠 ima follow

[@lindseyclaire27]

Sounds like he needs a big tank full of sand to muck around with lol. Funny wee thing.

[@barrylilley6392]

That’ll be interesting to see, a South American tank with no other cichlids 😂

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

It’s just a non cichlid South American tank now😂 maybe adding some apistogrammas

[@twasbrillig33]

The most aggressive species of Geophagus. This is NOT a community fish.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

It is actually recommended as a community fish on a lot online sites 😂 but yes definitely a terrible community fish! So bad they’re trying to remove it from the geophagus genus 😅

[@willhopson1277]

These are more like a Central American. Do well with convicts, firemouth, Texas cichlid, salvini jack Dempsey etc. do not put these with traditional earth eaters

[@plazmappboy]

He mixed the plant soil in my tank with the white normal sand and ruined the fucking fish tank

[@AntonioCastro-ws8uk]

They not even that aggressive

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

This one was and so was the other two I had.

[@squamsh122]

Great video, I wish I knew this before I got the psycho monster that is my dominant Geo Sveni. Amazing fish, but he is a dick.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Hahaa!! 😂 yeah amazing looking fish but definitely not the kindest tank members haha

[@AntonioCastro-ws8uk]

That the biggest one I ever seen

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

I’ve yet to see another one the same size in real life 😂

[@tinadoyle3803]

Hes huge.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yup, he was an actual unit!

[@javierpereida7832]

You're crazy bro amazing fishes learn how to trick your fish into being nice

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Thanks 😅 I will try and trick it into being nice haha

[@mikebarra6828]

You are generalizing "Geophagus". There are many types, bot all share the same temperament, growth rate or max size. I have 4 different types of Geo's in a 75 with many other SA and Central Amer Cichlids. They grow slow, don't destroy the tank, and don't fight with themselves or others. They eat flakes, pellets, frozen.....Anything. Maybe you should have researched the specific type before your purchase. Red Head Topajo, Sveni, Altifrons, Fat Head Balzani I have have been great

[@slaggs4633]

It is like you never did research on the Geophagus. I struggle to sympathize. I think you may have just needed more large fish. When he is the only beast he will for sure be a nightmare. If you want a smaller, more even tempered version, try a Ram. You can put a six pack in a tank, just don’t let there be more than 2 males. I love Rams myself. Good luck dude.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

It’s like you never watched the video. Of course I did my research. This video was pointing out that the literature and online sources underestimated a lot of the factors on aggression and size of the fish. Look at the other comments that say exactly the same thing

[@slaggs4633]

@@Fishkeepingmadeeasy for sure, I can see how having such an engaging fish can have that emotional grasp. I think it takes a lot to even put out a video about something personal like this. I didn’t intend the comment to be negative. I truly am sorry if it came off that way. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@Chan-fi9bu]

The face show u he is a killer lol

[@callenclarke371]

Goodness! Sounds like you got a bad actor with that one!

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

If fish keeping was easy, everyone would do it. Its not meant to be easy, maybe thats why you fail at it and cant even keep geophagus, the most common cichlid species in the fish community. You clearly do not have the mind set for this. Everything you mentioned as a problem was do to owner inexperience or lack of education on the subject. You should probably find a different hobby.

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ottomattix86]

Honestly your a poor fish keeper if you regret grtting this after learning about it lmao

[@Fishkeepingmadeeasy]

Yeah that definitely makes me a poor fishkeeper 🤔 a fish grows bigger and quicker than all the literature says, it is way more aggressive but I still keep it happy and healthy, balancing my whole tank around this one fish…sure… poor Fishkeeping there! GTFOH!