Before I Add Rams

[fishedout]

Hi All,

Having now been totally taken with fish keeping I've done something I never thought I could.... I sold my drum kit and replaced it with a 56 gallon corner tank (upgrading from my 15 gallon rectangle).

I have transfered all my fish over now, and touch wood all seems to have gone well with no problems at all.

In the tank are:

5 Neons
4 Cory Cats
1 Stiata Botia
4 Tiger Barbs
and 1 very funky Clown loach (still small at about 2.5 inches, totally thinks he's a tiger barb).

I have fake plants running down each side of the tank, 1 barel, 1 castle ornament in the back corner (quite large with plenty of room inside), a tree root in the middle (cant remember which type) and next to that a fake tree route with a nice size hidey hole in.

The fish all seem to get on great, the tigers leave everything else alone and just mess around amoungst themselves, mt neons have been a little shy since they tank move but seem to be coming out of their shells again.

I've been reading around about Ram Cichlids, I think they sound great and look beautiful, but get mixed views on compatibility wth tiger barbs. My Tigers are still quite small, the largest being aroung the 2" mark. do you think the Rams would be ok in here? or am I asking for trouble if I add them?

Thanks.

Owen

 

[Athena]

I wouldn't keep German Blue Rams in with Tiger Barbs myself, just wouldn't want to chance it to be honest, given the reputation that Tiger Barb's have for fin shredding and aggressiveness. German rams are quite shy, peaceful cichlids and probably wouldn't be able to stand up to the barbs.

Having said that, I know that some people do keep the two species together - but I think you need to increase the shoal of barbs you have, at least double what you have already as this somehow diverts aggression in the tank away from other fish (or so they say!). And if you do put rams in, try to go for the slightly larger of the species - e.g. Bolivian.

Regards - Athena

ps - forgot to add that clown loaches really should be kept in a small group (well, at least 2!) as they thrive on company from their own kind. They can grow to a foot long though, so bear that in mind when you are working out your stock levels.