The problem with Geophagus

[HappyFace]

They eat a LOT and possibly outcompete the discus for food.

I used to feed frozen bloodworms that scatter through the tank. I really didn't know how much my geophagus ate until I switched to FDBW cubes that I stick to the sides of the tank. Both my geos will grab an entire black worm cube and go eat it all and come back searching for more. They are mouth brooders so they can store a lot of food inside their mouths. I feed 4-5 times a day which means they are eating 8-10+ cubes a day. 10 cubes x 30 days = 300 cubes. There are 160 cubes in a 100 gram bag of black worm cubes (I counted) so 2 geos are costing me around $70/mo to feed. Those two 5-6" geos cost more to feed than 13 adult discus.

[Adam S]

You could try putting the cubes or frozen bloodworms into a mesh bag.

[Kyla]

This is why I only keep rummynose tetras with my discus. Keeping other fish with them made me feel like I had to overload the tank with food and then clean more etc

[HappyFace]

You could try putting the cubes or frozen bloodworms into a mesh bag.

Good idea. Thank you Adam.


This is why I only keep rummynose tetras with my discus. Keeping other fish with them made me feel like I had to overload the tank with food and then clean more etc

I totally relate.

The geos also like to dart around too, especially if you have 2 or more. They chase each other. It can distress discus that aren't used it especially since geos can get pretty big.