At what size does G.abalios color up?

[Sandz]

Looking for length and approx age.

[skullduggery1]

i have seen them get some color around four inches,but it all depends on the food ,water quality.Fish grow at differant rates to give you the approximate year,There are some pics on another fish forum.

[MCHRKiller]

Normally around 5-6" you start to see really get a look at what they will mature into. Naturally diet, water quality and genetics play a role but G.abalios grow into super nice looking sandeaters.

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There is one of my smaller ones at a bit over 7" for an example.

[Sandz]

Thanks so much you too. I fell in love with these fish at recent and plan to have one of my 100gal tanks devoted to them. I would like to place a couple Red Sev's, a convict (are male or female better?) and then the G's. How many Do you think would be appropriate for this? Are there any other stocking suggestions you have?

[MCHRKiller]

With geophagus you will need a minimum of 5 fish as they do best in a group. With that 1 Red Severum and a female convict would be nice. I say 1 Severum as in tanks less than 6ft it is best to limit it to a single fish due to them sometimes being aggressive. I keep Rainbow cichlids, some Buenos Aires tetras and some BNplecos with mine as well. Pretty much any of the Thorichthys species would work as well as Acaras, Sajica, etc. The Abalios will top out around 8-9" so you will need a very efficient filtration system and some live plants would be great for nitrate control.