Bolivian Rams...and?

[PDSimon]

I've got a 30G tank with a pair of Bolivian rams in and all this talk of apistos makes me want some...would any be suitable to go in the 30G or is that out of the question? There are electric blue rams at my LFS with amazing colouring which i'd love as well as cockatoo cichlids...

I'm guessing tank size is the key when keeping these fish together?

Tank pH is 6.6

other stocking is 8 kuhli loach and 5 amano shrimp

and if your answer is no, what other fish would you recommend, dither fish really.

Thanks for reading

 

[jacko32]

problem with this is that all your stocking is bottom dwelling fish i would have said if you didnt have the kuhli's and amano you could have an apisto of any type http/www.dwarfcichlid.com/index.php
you dont want to over crowd the bottom of the tank or you would end up more than likely loosing the amano to agression
the thing with male apistogramma is they become very territorial even when not breeding

 

[PDSimon]

hmm... the kuhlis and amano stick to underneath the bogwood most of the time where the rams can't really bother them. They all get on so far...

I thought the bigger problem would be the bolivians and say electric blue rams getting along together. Would they not fight? there is plently of bogwood and caves..

cheers for the article.

 

[jacko32]

hmm... the kuhlis and amano stick to underneath the bogwood most of the time where the rams can't really bother them. They all get on so far...

I thought the bigger problem would be the bolivians and say electric blue rams getting along together. Would they not fight? there is plently of bogwood and caves..

cheers for the article.

never had any trouble with me bolivian rams and blue rams and i keep a pair of each in a 35g tank the kuhli and amano will be more active at night i wouldnt go for an apistogramma with the current stocking but its if your willing to risk it you never know

 

[Curiosity101]

You do want some dithers in there... hmm...

How about some killifish for the top level? Or silver hatchets (although these guys are jumpers of course). Most livebearers pretty much stick to the surface...

Then something a bit more mid/upperlevel ermm most of the barbs/tetra and particularly danios. I'd avoid rummynose and neons as I've had both species in the exact same tank as you and they seemed to stick to the substrate which was annoying (despite being in a group of 13!)

 

[PDSimon]

Cheers jacko

You do want some dithers in there... hmm...

How about some killifish for the top level? Or silver hatchets (although these guys are jumpers of course). Most livebearers pretty much stick to the surface...

Then something a bit more mid/upperlevel ermm most of the barbs/tetra and particularly danios. I'd avoid rummynose and neons as I've had both species in the exact same tank as you and they seemed to stick to the substrate which was annoying (despite being in a group of 13!)

What sort of killifish? I saw some in my LFS which were stunning, really colourful but can't remember the name

I like silver hatchets but when I do waterchanges I think they'll just jump out... not a fan of livebearers

Ditherfish wise, I like rummy nose and also cardinal tetra... thats annoying though if they just stuck to the bottom as well!

 

[jacko32]

Cheers jacko

You do want some dithers in there... hmm...

How about some killifish for the top level? Or silver hatchets (although these guys are jumpers of course). Most livebearers pretty much stick to the surface...

Then something a bit more mid/upperlevel ermm most of the barbs/tetra and particularly danios. I'd avoid rummynose and neons as I've had both species in the exact same tank as you and they seemed to stick to the substrate which was annoying (despite being in a group of 13!)

What sort of killifish? I saw some in my LFS which were stunning, really colourful but can't remember the name

I like silver hatchets but when I do waterchanges I think they'll just jump out... not a fan of livebearers

Ditherfish wise, I like rummy nose and also cardinal tetra... thats annoying though if they just stuck to the bottom as well!

black neons are good there more middle to top but to be honest the best shoaling fish ive found are harlequin rasbora
i also like marbled hatchet fish they dont jump much once there used to the water changes

 

[Curiosity101]

Hmm, well I've never personally kept killifish so can't advise you on species from my own experiences but so long as you know the species before you buy it (for mature size, temperemant etc) then it shouldn't be a problem. There are alot of killifish available for a 125 tank which is good. I'd ask BigC on here about killies as they breed them.

 

[PDSimon]

Cheers for the help

I do quite like black phantom tetra but was wary of them nipping the rams?

I'll have a look into killifish as I have noooo idea about them

 

[jacko32]

Cheers for the help

I do quite like black phantom tetra but was wary of them nipping the rams?

I'll have a look into killifish as I have noooo idea about them

no not black phantoms they are ok but i mean black neons just like normal neon tetras only bigger and black

 

[PDSimon]

I knew what you meant, I was just adding that I also like black phantoms

I'm going on holiday next week so I'm going to have a think about all of this and when i get back i'll get some new fish

 

[jacko32]

I knew what you meant, I was just adding that I also like black phantoms

I'm going on holiday next week so I'm going to have a think about all of this and when i get back i'll get some new fish

cool ive got black widdows in with mine and serpia without any nipping of the rams

 

[PDSimon]

Thats good to know, thanks

 

[kaivalagi]

Saw some really nice richly coloured Pentazona Barb at one LFS today, how about those for dithers? Not sure on where they like to hang out though...mid water? Less nippy than tetra I think...

I also saw the most amazing Vieja synspila too, absolutely beautiful cichlids, but just a bit too boisterous and large long term for my tank I think, no pricing displayed either but I would expect them to be quite expensive?

 

[PDSimon]

Vieja synspila have amazing colours, 35 cm though apparently

Not a big fan of barbs

I want a pair of these guys

apisto. borellii. I need another tank