Bolivian Ram In Community Tank?

[twodoctors]

Right, now that I've got my sajica pair, I think I have completed my setup...

...but like most of us, there's always room for another pair! I checked on ##150###, and it says I am 89% stocked. I also have 12 tiger barbs, 6 boesemani rainbows and 6 corys living with the 2 sajicas. I am just wondering whether a pair of Bolivian Ram would be compatible with my setup. My tank is an AquaOne AR980 215L, pH7.8, GH 9dH. Thanks.

Adrian

 

[hillmar77]

If they act the same way as German rams then a pair would make a great addition to your tank.

 

[twodoctors]

If they act the same way as German rams then a pair would make a great addition to your tank.

As I understand they are the same genus but Bolivian is more hardy and less colourful than the German/Holland etc Rams.

I am more concern about aggression and territories. I have a "mating" pair of sajica. If I do end up getting the Rams should I get 2 males or a pair? Thanks.

Adrian

 

[mbsqw1d]

B Rams get very territorial, theyre also very difficult to sex so unless you are able to buy a known breeding pair the odds are against you for getting a male & female. Your tank is big enough for two males however.. they'll settle their sides of the tank quickly. The only problem I have had with my B Ram is with corys. Come feeding time, because B Rams are earth eaters - theyre partial to nipping at corys if they get in the way of food.

 

[twodoctors]

B Rams get very territorial, theyre also very difficult to sex so unless you are able to buy a known breeding pair the odds are against you for getting a male & female. Your tank is big enough for two males however.. they'll settle their sides of the tank quickly. The only problem I have had with my B Ram is with corys. Come feeding time, because B Rams are earth eaters - theyre partial to nipping at corys if they get in the way of food.

Thanks. The only territorial fish I have is obviously the sajica. Are you saying they would be ok with them?

Adrian

 

[mbsqw1d]

B Rams get very territorial, theyre also very difficult to sex so unless you are able to buy a known breeding pair the odds are against you for getting a male & female. Your tank is big enough for two males however.. they'll settle their sides of the tank quickly. The only problem I have had with my B Ram is with corys. Come feeding time, because B Rams are earth eaters - theyre partial to nipping at corys if they get in the way of food.

Thanks. The only territorial fish I have is obviously the sajica. Are you saying they would be ok with them?

Adrian

sorry i have no experience of sajica, but heres a free bump!

 

[twodoctors]

So does anyone think I can get a pair of Bolivian to go with my setup?

Adrian

 

[karin]

You have a nice big tank with lots of hiding places. Looks great for some bolivians. I just don't know what the sajica is like. So here is another bump. My bolivians are very mellow except with each other. They do not bother other fish much, a bit of chasing. They are pretty mean with each other however.... until they feel like spawning then they get a long for a bit.

 

[fishnovice]

B Rams get very territorial, theyre also very difficult to sex so unless you are able to buy a known breeding pair the odds are against you for getting a male & female. Your tank is big enough for two males however.. they'll settle their sides of the tank quickly. The only problem I have had with my B Ram is with corys. Come feeding time, because B Rams are earth eaters - theyre partial to nipping at corys if they get in the way of food.

My B ram lives with 10 assorted corries and I've never seen it attack them. Maybe because it's outnumbered? Or perhaps because they are very well fed so there is plenty of food for all

 

[mbsqw1d]

B Rams get very territorial, theyre also very difficult to sex so unless you are able to buy a known breeding pair the odds are against you for getting a male & female. Your tank is big enough for two males however.. they'll settle their sides of the tank quickly. The only problem I have had with my B Ram is with corys. Come feeding time, because B Rams are earth eaters - theyre partial to nipping at corys if they get in the way of food.

My B ram lives with 10 assorted corries and I've never seen it attack them. Maybe because it's outnumbered? Or perhaps because they are very well fed so there is plenty of food for all

it is rare that i've seen it, but then I don't watch my tank 24/7 so it will probably happen more. It seemed to happen when I fed the corys a brine shrimp stick/pellet. These are quite large and 4-5 corys will feed on it at once. This is when I noticed the B Ram barging in and nipping to get at it. Since then I have broken the stick down into bite size pieces and I havent seen this happen again. Another thing.. I don't think ALL fish of one species are the same, they will have slightly different temperaments - some feistier than others etc.

 

[twodoctors]

Thanks.

My sajicas pair looks like they want to spawn soon. I shall wait and see how they behave with their tankmates before getting the Bolivian Rams.

Incidentally do they normally come up to the top for food or are they middle/bottom feeder?

Adrian

 

[Gvilleguy]

I have 4 Bolivian Rams and they normally only nip at each other. But they are the biggest fish in the tank. Your sajicas would match their 3 inch size, right? I am not sure if that would make a difference. My Rams strongly prefer to feed on the bottom. But every once in a while they will dart to the top to grab a bite if they get tired waiting for it to sink...

 

[twodoctors]

I have 4 Bolivian Rams and they normally only nip at each other. But they are the biggest fish in the tank. Your sajicas would match their 3 inch size, right? I am not sure if that would make a difference. My Rams strongly prefer to feed on the bottom. But every once in a while they will dart to the top to grab a bite if they get tired waiting for it to sink...

Thanks.

My sajica is a lot slower than the barbs and rainbows. Looking at videos of Bolivian (including yours!) they seemed to be faster than my sajica and other medium size cichlids. In any case I am getting some sinking pellets so hopefully the sajica will get fed as well. At the moment they are eating the same amount as my tiger barbs, ie a few flakes per feeding. Probably ok for them but quite a lot for the barbs!

Adrian

 

[Gvilleguy]

Yes, the Bolivians are VERY fast when they want to be.