Blue Rams

[dss2004]

I was just hoping that I could get some advice on specific caring techniques, food, tankmates etc. for my two new blue rams. I have heavily planted my 46 gal. bow front recently and currently only have about 8 tertras in the tank. I used to have south american cichlids but I decided to get rid of them because I wanted to keep live plants. I heard the rams are great with live plants but are extremely difficult to keep. I am not afraid of working hard on my aquarium so any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. The rams are young so I hope that they will be able to grow with my tank.

Tank ph 6.4 it is usually around 7 but I am currently adding DIY co2 to the tank for plant growth.

5 lemon tetras and 3 bleeding heart tetras 1 pleco

79 degrees in the tank

90 watts of light

20-30% water change per week

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated, this is the first truly difficult specie I have ever attempted to keep

 

[Swordtail8]

Rams aren't as hard to keep as books might suggest. Just as long as your not a total newbie at fish keeping you will be fine. That's if your tank is already well established. Plus you have the acidic pH they like.

I have heard of alot of people that keep rams with tiger barbs so you could keep tiger barbs or other fin nipping fish (get a second opinion though). They can go with angels and mine ram didn't have problems with my gourami. You could probably keep a ram with most anything that isn't gonna eat it.

It seems like the ram is a very compatable and colorful fish. It's only down fall is that it is slightly more sensitive to changes in water condition.

 

[dss2004]

Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

 

[fishdude07]

yes, if your tank is well-established, theyre not that hard to keep unless youre a complete newbie. rams sometimes have problems if there are alot of bottomfeeders like cories and other catfish. rams are extremely sensitive to changes in water condition. be extra careful when medicating or adding chemicals. make sure the tank water is nearly perfet...no ammonia, no nitrites, and keep the nitrates low.

 

[RobD]

Hey, another 46-gallon bow tank! Rams fit in this tank nicely, though I would suggest not going over two pairs or three individuals. I have six in mine now, and what I believe are 4 females and two males. Nobody has paired up yet, and the two original females are being pretty snotty when it comes to territory. But they three newest ones haven't been in there 24 hours yet, so the hierarchy is still being established.

No pictures to show how mine currently looks, but you can get a close feeling by looking at my website.

 

[Purple]

CO2 can cause your PH to drop further, so keep an eye on it. Although the Rams are Ok with lower PH - your filter will struggle at 5, and any other tank occupants could also be affected.

Water quality is an issue with Rams, but most deaths are due to weak stock. They are force bred in Asia in great numbers, with little regard for mortality rates past the shipping line.

Choose your supplier with as much care as you would when choosing the individual fish.