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In my search to find an eartheating type fish (and others) that will not grow to over a certain size as to not overcrowd my 55g tank that has about 5 other fish (which will mature to between 4 to 7 inches).

I'm finding LOTS of variety in mature lengths of the same fishes by different sources.
(As with my current research on Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus I've been doing for a "medium to small" eartheater...which I've read get to 10cm on some sites, and to 22cm on other)???

I Know that in the wild, they grow larger that in medium sized aquariums....and can get quite large in Very Large tanks also.

But would would someone know which source is the most accurate for mature sizes in a 55g tankwith a few other medium sized cichlids, please?

Most cichlids reach full size irrelevant of aquarium size, cichlid growth is rapid and they are not often easily dwarfed unlike many of the carps and barbs, and youll find in most cases growth will be normal and a 55 gallon plenty big enough to see them make the averages. Most of the geos do come in at 6 inches or more, so perhaps it would be safer to go with the realistic expectation that most of these species are fairly big fish rather than hoping they stay small or are likely to not match wild sizes.

Dont forget a lot of the stuff on the net is published by newbies who like to "big themselves up" by posting info too early , info based on fairly new and young smaller fish or fish environmentally damaged by poor water quality. In most cases cichlids kept in good water quality shoot up to average sizes in the first year or two, generally hitting full size, weight, and finnage by year 3. Most of the worlds geo species available in the hobby will be averaging between 6 and 12 inches.