New Pair of Rams

D

DarkMuse

Medium Fish
#1
May 12, 2005
93
0
0
Kentucky
#1
Well, I finally rearranged my tank and bought a new pair of German Blue Rams. I was somewhat uncertain about it because they were both males, but I was gonna try. I acclimated (if thats the right word) the way that I should have the last pair (Though that was not why they died. See this post as to why they died.). These 2 fish have the cutest personalities. They immediately came up to the front glass to "check me out". The even come to me when I lightly tap on the glass 2 times and then draw circles. They are so curious. However, one is half the size of the other one. I wondered why my larger male was getting fatter. I found out why today. He wont let the smaller one eat and he chases him around constantly. SO, I am going to go to the LFS tomorrow to see if I can get a credit for him. The larger male is SO beautiful, but the other is not colored at all (which I figure is from the stress it gets from the larger one). So, when I did my water changes in both tanks, I moved the smaller one to the 2 gal until I can get him a better home.

I have 2 questions.

1) I need an algae eater for my 10 gallon. The rams killed my last otto the first night they were in there and the last pair of rams bit the "feelers" off of my mystery snail. I don't want to put my snail back in there unless I have to (feel sorry for him cause I know if I do put him back in there the same thing will happen). Do you all have any suggestions as to an algae eater? (I have not looked though the boards yet, but plan on doing that when I finish this post.)

2) Should I try to get a female ram? I can't guarentee what size I would get because I have to order them and they might not even be able to get me one. I don't want her to be too small and get bullied by the male. So, what other fish would you suggest to put in the tank with this male (if I can't get a female)?

I do plan on getting a 20 or 30 gallon tank when we move (in about 6 or 7 months).

I will post my water parameters in a few minutes. (Getting ready to check them.)

Amanda

Water Parameters:
pH: 6.9 or 7.0 (couldn't tell)
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Ammonia: 0 ppm
GH: 5'd
KH: 7'd

Temp: 82'F
 

Last edited:
Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#2
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#2
IMO if you want a pair of rams, your either better off buying a known pair at the same time, or start with several juveniles, and let a pair form naturaly. This would give you a better chance of sucsess in the long run than just adding a female with the male you currently have.

A larger tank would deffintaly be better for a pair. This gives the female or male a place to get away from the other one if it becomes to aggresive for a while.
 

D

DarkMuse

Medium Fish
#5
May 12, 2005
93
0
0
Kentucky
#5
No, I did not intend to put any other cichlids in with him. I figured that they'd fight and I don't want that. I would like to breed them, but right now I do not have the room to have another tank. Thank you for the link though, I will check it out.
 

Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#6
Feb 10, 2003
5,803
3
38
Kentucky
www.thefishcave.net
#6
I would look over any type of bottom dwellers. Breeding rams would most likley be to much for them in a 30 gallon, totaly out of the question in a 10.

Anything higher in the water would be much safer. The bigger the tank, the more likely the tank mates are going to stay healthy, and not picked on by the rams.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.