Bolivian Ram

[fisharepeopletoo]

I have an established 10 gallon tank that is home to 3 pristella tetras, a bronze cory, and a bolivian ram (female). The bolivean ram was very shy, but not skiddish. Today I brought home another bolivian ram. The fish store said it was a female, but upon closer look when I got it home, it is definately a male. The female who had been in the tank started bullying the male almost immediately. She followed him around the tank biting at him and he took turns biting at her, but never chased after her. They have calmed down a little bit, but he still looks stressed out with his top fin at full flare. Is this normal first day behavior? What can I do to help them get along. Should I return the male, or maybe buy another female? I thought theses guys were supposed to be peaceful?

 

[stargirly1208]

I have an established 10 gallon tank that is home to 3 pristella tetras, a bronze cory, and a bolivian ram (female). The bolivean ram was very shy, but not skiddish. Today I brought home another bolivian ram. The fish store said it was a female, but upon closer look when I got it home, it is definately a male. The female who had been in the tank started bullying the male almost immediately. She followed him around the tank biting at him and he took turns biting at her, but never chased after her. They have calmed down a little bit, but he still looks stressed out with his top fin at full flare. Is this normal first day behavior? What can I do to help them get along. Should I return the male, or maybe buy another female? I thought theses guys were supposed to be peaceful?

well the guy at the petshop said that if you want to introduce a new ram you would have to take out all the established territories (plants, large rocks, caves etc.) and let them sit like this for awhile. then he said to put the new one in. although it might work if you take the one that is already in there out and put the new one in at the same time, this way they think they belong together. he said to rearrange the tank so that new territories can be established. he also said that they would flare up at each other for a little while but to feed them and turn the light off for sleepy time. they will get used to each other. just remember though that rams become 3.5inches in size full grown so you might want to upgrade to a 20 gallon maybe eventually, but i think you're okay for now.

 

[fisharepeopletoo]

Thanks! I was planning on upgrding to a larger tank in a few months. I was hoping to get a away with it as they are so small now and have very few tankmates.

 

[Gankutsuou]

rams may seem small and stay relatively small, but they're still going to need that gallon amount for territory, not for size. 20+ is generally accepted for dwarf cichlids like rams, apistos, and so on.