Got a pair of Blue Rams....

[Severum]

I'm excited about these little fish as my cichlid obsession grows. Currently, they're in one of my 20-gallon community tanks (lots of hiding room, a private cave, lots of dither fish). They actually have a private tank in progress, and it's been set up and running a few days but won't be ready for a while yet - I read that they need established water - but saw these guys and had to have them. I figured they'd be OK in another tank until theirs is ready. (Is this OK? I hope it's OK...)

I've also read that sometimes it's better to have a male with a harem. I don't want to get too many of them, but it would be easy to pick up more if needed.

Any advice from experienced Ram keepers? I've read several articles on Blue Rams, and just want to make sure they receive the best care I can provide.

 

[Fishman1995]

OMG blue rams <3 those lil guys. how big is there private tank?

 

[Severum]

They have a 20 gallon, I hope it's big enough.

 

[Fishman1995]

Ok in that case, are you wishing to breed them or just keep them?

 

[Severum]

Just keep, really. If they breed, that's fine too...my joy comes from observing happy fish in a healthy habitat and happy fish do tend to make more happy fish. But it's not a goal, they're just beautiful fish. *BOUNCINGS

 

[Fishman1995]

Ok then if you want them to breed get 1 male and 1 female if u just wanna keep them you can have 3 females. Dont get 1 male and 2 females or 2 males and 1 female or 3 males. the agresion in Mating season is finominal.

 

[Severum]

Thank you! I believe this pair is one male and one female, but it's assumed, so only time will tell. I'll just stick with these two and not be surprised if anything happens. They look good after a day, I feel confident they'll do well.

 

[Fishman1995]

Thats good keep us updated on the little buggers Ive officially got my 2nd Green spotted puffer today, hes a ball of energy. Have you ever kept GSP's? if so can you share some advice on food?

 

[Severum]

Ooo, don't know much about GSP's...I only have the F8, but have worked with GSP's at work. I believe as they get larger they prefer a more brackish environment, and can grow up to six inches...they're messy eaters and need to have hard-shelled foods (snails, krill, crickets) as well as really, really good filtration. They have the propensity to be quite aggressive and territorial, and don't usually do well with tankmates. As adults, they don't need to eat every day but will beg like crazy for food every time you walk past the tank.

I actually avoided getting a GSP and went for the F8 instead as my first puffer, mostly because the F8 is more agreeable to tankmates, tolerant of fresher water conditions, and doesn't get much larger than three inches. I'm sure you'll make an excellent home for your GSP as long as you're prepared for what's in store!

 

[silver dollars]

Rams are some of my favourite fish. We will be wanting pictures of them And to tell if one is a female, look at the belly. If it has pink, than its a female.

 

[Severum]

One definitely has a pink belly, the other not so sure...they're still young yet. I want to get pictures, but am waiting for them to get accustomed to me being around the tank. They're finally starting to venture out and swim with the other fish.

 

[el_batty]

rams are cool fish to keep in a community tank..make sure to have some plants grouped together at one corner..they prefer open space as well as shelters..keep the water clean and have proper filtration. If they suit you well..you never know how long they can live..but if it doesn't suit your water conditions...its tragedy all over.