Sand has to be able to enter the Geos mouth and go out through its gills. It's a key consideration for whether keeping Geos in the tank is a good idea. If yours can do that, you're good.
I'm going to be a ball of dream destruction here. I have kept red heads longterm, in the past. 3 rapidly became too large for my 75. My personal formula which I don't want to impose on, you, but that's based on experience says a Geophagine needs a front glass 8 to 10 times longer than its total size as an adult, and 30 gallons of water if no other fish are present. You can go as low as 25, but expect 40% weekly water changes or constant battles with hole in the head.
Early on, I had some Satanoperca with an undergravel. I had a bit of trouble with them exposing the plate, and I regret the gravel size. It didn't harm them, and they actually bred. But later, when I kept the same species over play/beach sand, they were so much more fun to watch. Eartheaters at work are a show.
I get the appeal. I look at my 2 75s and my 120 I still have from the Geo days, and I am sometimes tempted. I have soft water from the tap, unmetered, and I have time as a retired guy. But Geos are as delicate as Discus with larger bodies.
I didn't keep mine with Corys for long. I had Red Heads with C. arcuatus, but the Corys hid all the time and were moved. They never seemed to need dithers or any tankmates, and keeping the bioload down was my key consideration.
These are my approaches, and 95% of aquarists ignore these ideas completely. I'll put them out there because dead Geos are a sad sight, and the fish are demanding. If my 55 hadn't broken in my move, I would have Geophagines in it - but Apistogramma would be the family member I'd choose, most likely. Mini eartheaters.
I'm going to be a ball of dream destruction here. I have kept red heads longterm, in the past. 3 rapidly became too large for my 75. My personal formula which I don't want to impose on, you, but that's based on experience says a Geophagine needs a front glass 8 to 10 times longer than its total size as an adult, and 30 gallons of water if no other fish are present. You can go as low as 25, but expect 40% weekly water changes or constant battles with hole in the head.
Early on, I had some Satanoperca with an undergravel. I had a bit of trouble with them exposing the plate, and I regret the gravel size. It didn't harm them, and they actually bred. But later, when I kept the same species over play/beach sand, they were so much more fun to watch. Eartheaters at work are a show.
I get the appeal. I look at my 2 75s and my 120 I still have from the Geo days, and I am sometimes tempted. I have soft water from the tap, unmetered, and I have time as a retired guy. But Geos are as delicate as Discus with larger bodies.
I didn't keep mine with Corys for long. I had Red Heads with C. arcuatus, but the Corys hid all the time and were moved. They never seemed to need dithers or any tankmates, and keeping the bioload down was my key consideration.
These are my approaches, and 95% of aquarists ignore these ideas completely. I'll put them out there because dead Geos are a sad sight, and the fish are demanding. If my 55 hadn't broken in my move, I would have Geophagines in it - but Apistogramma would be the family member I'd choose, most likely. Mini eartheaters.
