Bolivian Rams

[Farrant91]

Hi. Any ideas on how a Bolivian Ram would do in my tank? It's a 4fter around 180 litres, with some plants (fake), and bog wood. Stocking wise there's; a few angels (2inch), albino rainbow shark (4inch), silver shark (5inch), hoplo cat (5inch), asian sun cat (5inch), few clown loaches (3inch).

I was thinking around 3 rams would be ideal, but if I need more than can do (space permitting). I possibly might be able to rehome a few of them if it's a certain fish that will not mix with rams.

Cheers, James.

 

[KittyKat]

It's not that the fish don't mix with rams, it's more that the silver sharks and clown loaches are large, schooling fish and the sun cats get huge too. They aren't really suitable tank mates for angels, rainbow sharks and rams.

If you were stocking from scratch, I would say that angels and rams are ideal fish for the tank. But with current stocking, I would not add the rams until at least the shark and sun cat had new homes.

In terms of numbers to keep, 1, 2 and 6+ are best. 3 is a bad number because you'll probably get a pair and a one, who will be abused by the pair.

 

[Farrant91]

Ahh right ok. How about in my community tank, mainly tetras and a few cories? I'm guessing that wouldn't end well?

 

[KittyKat]

Post details please? Tank size, number of other fish...?

 

[Farrant91]

About 2 foot, 60 litres-ish. Few neons, platies which will be going soon, a few other tetras that I'm not 100% what breed, think they're lemon. Some tiger barbs, but I'm only growing them on so they'll be out in a few months. 3 corys, and a few otos.

Decor wise, there's a few fake plants, bogwood and some rocks.

 

[KittyKat]

Bolivian rams will grow to 6" if the tank is big enough and at least 4" body wise.. so 3 ft is an absolute minimum and 4 ft is the smallest tank I would consider for them. For a 60 litre (once the tiger barbs are out), a pair of small dwarf cichlids would be more appropriate.

 

[Farrant91]

Any particular dwarves spring to mind? Sorry for being so thick but I am clueless about cichilids.

 

[KittyKat]

Erm, off the top of my head.. maybe Apistogramma borellii? But you should double check.

 

[Farrant91]

They are beatiful. Will ask at my LFS about dwarf cichilids then. Thanks for your help.