Gymnogeophagus australis

[JHG]

Just wondering if anyone has any

experience with this species. Being an "eartheater", how successful can one expect to be

with plants? I have a tank with java fern, attached to driftwood, and wendtii, planted in the sand

and am wondering if the australis will rip the wendtii apart. Also wondering if it is safe to keep

a school of tetras and possibly a small group of corydoras in the same tank. I'm thinking

"no" to the corys, but thought I'd ask anyhow.

Thanks,

J

[fishmaven]

<!--quoteo

(post=3823:date=Feb 7 2007, 07:54 PM:name=JHG)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JHG @ Feb 7

2007, 07:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=3823)</div><div

class='quotemain'>Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this species.

Thanks, J</div>
If you're sure you have an Australis, a

couple of things:
They get to about 8". Your tetras need to be above "bite-

sized." Even if he doesn't eat your plants he'll probably tear them from your

driftwood and sand. Dan

[JHG]

<!--quoteo(post=3835:date=Feb 8

2007, 12:26 PM:name=fishmaven)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fishmaven @ Feb 8 2007,

12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=3835)</div><div

class='quotemain'>If you're sure you have an Australis, a couple of things<!--

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Are australis uncommon or hard to obtain?

[fishmaven]

<!--quoteo

(post=3910:date=Feb 16 2007, 12:29 PM:name=JHG)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JHG @ Feb

16 2007, 12:29 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=3910"><{POST_SNAPBACK}

></a></div><div class='quotemain'>Are australis uncommon or hard to obtain?<!--

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While South American imports are seasonal you'll find

fish with this name for sale throughout most of the year. Many of the Geophagus complex are

misnamed at retailers and wholesale distributors. Here's a link to CR companion's photo

gallery. <<a href="http://cichlidae.com/gallery/species.php?s=307" target="_blank"><!--

coloro:#3366ff--><span style="color:#3366ff"><!--/coloro--

>http://cichlidae.com/gallery/species.php?s=307</span></a>> I'm

not particularly in favor of this photo above the others, it's only that ACAers seem to hold CR

Companion's stuff in a higher regard than other sources. I know I've purchased fish under

this name several times without getting this particular fish. You'll find individuals arguing,

even now, about the "true" names of the complex. I'm not a taxonomist. Getting tied

up in the argument of the names diminishes my enjoyment of the fish. While I'm aware of the

conflicts, I try to stay out of it. If the "experts" don't agree, my input would be

insignificant. When I did a "Google" search I got 746 hits. I didn't go through them

all but I'd guess not all the photos will show the same fish. Dan

[JHG]

I bought a trio today from a

local hobbyist who had special ordered them from a supplier. The fish on the CRC site looks

identical to those I purchased.