Geophagus 'Rio Tapajos Orange Head' & Araguia Orange hea

[kswong34]

Hi all,

Can anyone pls advise me what are the different between these 2 fish??

any picture to compare will be great. and what price do their fry normally go for?

Thanks in advance

[Ben]

Very good question!

Obviously they come from 2 different regions, one being from Rio Tapajos and the other from Araguaia.

To help answer this question I will type what is published in Thomas Weidner's book, 'South American Eartheaters.

''There are a number of distinct characteristics by which G.sp. Araguaia Orange head can easily be distinguished. This species has a somewhat longer lateral spot, which lies below the upper lateral line but a scale width above the lower lateral line. This form is rather slimmer than its close cousin from the Tapajos. The upper head profile is more rounded and the orange area above its eyes is nothing like as bold."

I hope this helps a little, prices of both have come over the last 6 months.

I sell 4cm Rio Tapajos juvies for $15-, which fly out the door!

[kswong34]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the reply.

Any chance a photo of the 2 for comparison??

Cheers :wink:

[Ben]

Photo's.

[kswong34]

:D :D many many thanks. The tapajos look much more colourful :shock: :shock:

[ozarowana]

The tapajos look much more colourful

If you go and take a look at Lungy's adults in person you will change your mind :shock:.

Contrary to Weidner's book I believe the Araguaia species has a higher body. I'll try and get permission to use a pic to demonstate this.

[ozarowana]

Here's a pic of one of Lungy's adults. The pic doesn't do the fish any justice. He doesn't have much lighting above the tank and I think his camera is 1.5 MP :lol: Your only about 10min from him.

[bun]

The araguaia aren't quite as colourful (not as vibrant red/orange on their heads). But they are more valuable. Correct me if I’m wrong?

This is one of my little fellas (araguaia "orange head"), from lungys stock. The pic above is the dad.
http://myspace-279.vo.llnwd.net/01327/97/22/1327122279_l.jpg

[Cuong]

Depending on their mood, these guys get as colourful as any Tapajos I've seen.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/7060/a0045jq0.jpg

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/290/a0035pa4.jpg

[BJL82]

Oh my god dude, those pics are UNREAL! 8-)

Beautiful fish!

[bun]

Schmuck that is one stunning araguaia :shock: woaahhh can't wait till mine get a bit closer to the size of that fella. What size tank are yours in and what do you feed them?

[Cuong]

They're in a 6'x2'x2.5ish tank. I feed them a whole range of things from tetra bits to beefheart.

[Chilli Powder]

Hey guys,
Do you think it's possible that the two have been crossed? I say this because some shops are selling them as just 'orange head' :o

cheers

[discus lover01]

seen arags 5cm in shops in Sa selling at $20 and $25ea not Tapajos they had arags on the tank and they look like the arags of Buns but they also said they had hundreds at this price so either someone has bred a heap or they have imported a heap ? are geo's allowed to be inported as Brassillianas are illegal in SA and few other states are other geo's the same and why are these bassie's illegal in 3 or 4 states and not all states? got me confuzzled.
But i dont know if that price for arags at 5cm is a good price or a high price for the size of them.

[flaggy]

hey guys, sorry for digging up this old thread. I bought this young "orange head" yesterday, but wanted to check whether it is a tapajos (which it was sold as) or an araguaia.

what do you think? thanks!

http://flaggy.wemmit.net/oh.jpg

http://flaggy.wemmit.net/oh1.jpg

[ozarowana]

Bit hard to say at this point in time. Three things to look for...

Watch if it gets the black horizontal band between the lateral spot and the gills. Araguaia are suppose to have this and Tapa's lack it apparently.

From what I have seen some Tapa's get an orange gill operculum which I have never seen in the Araguaia.

The Tapa's body colour seems lighter or cleaner as well compared to Araguaia which can look a little "dirty". Araguaia seem to get the olive sheen in some tank environments too.

HTH

[flaggy]

Thanks. I guess it is still a bit young.

By the way, what food do you use to bring out the colours of the "orange head" geos? Any tips other than Tetra ColourBits?

[ozarowana]

For bringing out the colour only, anything with red pigment enhancers I guess. Beta carotene, astaxanthin etc.

I have seen a group of Araguaia go all dull after the owner ran out of Tetra Bits. Only a hint of red to be seen. Two weeks after Tetra Bits were added back into their diet they looked stunning again.

Remember to give them a varied diet though.

[Krumpet]

may i ask who lungy is? I've heard that name thrown around a bit...

cheers

[Krumpet]

so no one knows?

[mcloughlin2]

Lungy is a well known breeder in QLD. He doesn't breed much these days and seems to drift between selling out completely and deciding to keep a few display tanks about a dozen times a day.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't breed to Araguaia anymore however. He is banned on most forums except his own :lol: So you will hear the name but never really find him so to speak.

[flaggy]

Mine has grown quite abit since the last photos. Any idea whether it is: 1) tapajos or araguaia and 2) male or female?

See updated pics below.

http://flaggy.wemmit.net/geo%20(1).jpg
http://flaggy.wemmit.net/geo%20(2).jpg
http://flaggy.wemmit.net/geo%20(3).jpg
http://flaggy.wemmit.net/geo%20(4).jpg
http://flaggy.wemmit.net/geo%20(5).jpg

Cheers

[Laz]

Hi Flaggy,

Those look like beautiful well conditioned fish. There have been some very interesting developments with regard to Orange Head identification, in a recent statement Heiko Bleher has informed us that there is no G. sp. 'Araguaia' "Orange Head" variant:

http://www.perthcichlid.com.au/forum/index.php?showtopic=24039&st=0&start=0

Some interesting information and discussion.

Cheers
Larry