Finding Rams :)

[Newbie_From_Hell]

Hey all,

I've only just become a member, the main reason is I'm looking to put a pair of blue or electric blue rams, and I need advice on keeping them, purchasing them etc.

I've seen them in some Los, but nobody could even sex them for me, let alone tell me the water prams etc... To keep them, so I've done some reading, I've never kept cichlids so I'm not taken chances

I have a std planted tank, with danios, tetras octos and a plec.

Questions,
Do they have to kept in soft water as mine is currently a little too hight
Will the gat on ok with the other inhabitants
Is there a recommended source
Are 'wild' pairs better / more expensive
Do they really only live for 2years ?

Thanks all

 

[Seed_Lord]

Where do you live? can look on aquabid but i find it hard finding fish in the uk but lots in the us, chances are they will have been tank bred quite a bit so will tolerate a wide of PH's, not sure exactly but discus are meant to be soft water but have been kept and bred in upto 8, wild pairs would be more expensive im guessing and you would need to have the water as their natural water would be. Not sure how i long they live for all depends on your water quality etc etc aswell and depending how old they are when you get them i guess, only had rams for a bit havent gone into too much research about them. Rams are pretty placid only cichlid i would keep with my discus, although mine held their own vs my kribs when i had them, recently got a electric blue from a place called the water zoo in peterborough if you happen to live near there .

Bout as much as i can tell you