Bolivian Rams

[karawr]

Are juvenile Bolivian rams really pale and plain? They got some at my lfs but they look very plain and silver.

I'm pretty sure my pH is 7.6 but will double check when I'm at home. Is this okay for them? Thinking of just getting two and fingers crossed they're a pair.

Thanks.

 

[onidrase]

They'd be fine in your tank, (I had a couple in 7.8 pH) and they are often very plain and silver colored at the LFS due to stress and bad water quality, but they'll color up as they mature and are taken care of well.

If they don't pair up, unless you've got a tiny tank, they'll still be fine together. My two weren't a real pair but they didn't kill each other or anything. They'd just kiss heads with each other now and then (which was very cute, I might add) and go on their way.

God I miss my rams now

 

[karawr]

Well they will be going in a 120g so I'm sure they will have plenty of room. . Glad to hear!! Will pick two up tomorrow.

 

[snake007]

Mines starting to color up nicely now!

 

[karawr]

Sorry to bump this up again. Got some more questions. I know bolivians are hard to sex esp with mine being so juvenile but I believe I *may* have two males on my hands.

They're in a 120g and I was thinking of getting two more. Might try to spot some females at lfs now that I know what I'm supposed to be looking for... Stocking is 6 angels, tetras and cories. Would it be ok to have 5~6 bolivians in this tank?

 

[onidrase]

Sorry to bump this up again. Got some more questions. I know bolivians are hard to sex esp with mine being so juvenile but I believe I *may* have two males on my hands.

They're in a 120g and I was thinking of getting two more. Might try to spot some females at lfs now that I know what I'm supposed to be looking for... Stocking is 6 angels, tetras and cories. Would it be ok to have 5~6 bolivians in this tank?

120 gallons? Yeah, 6 would be good, but odd numbers are bad with cichlids.

 

[itonlyrains]

Exactly why odd numbers are bad? Cheers.

 

[onidrase]

Exactly why odd numbers are bad? Cheers.

IME, the odd one out always gets picked on. Even if the others aren't paired, they tend to kinda chill with each other. That's how it worked with my bolivians and my shortly kept kribensis. The only dwarves I see kept in odd numbers are apistos.

 

[itonlyrains]

Good to know! Hopefully will pick up 4 Bolivians next week

 

[snake007]

+1 On what Onidrase said, I had 3 convicts, 2 paired, 1 got hurt.