Fishes Compatible With German Blue Rams?

[mark4785]

Well, after some feedback given in my original stocking thread found here, I have decided to keep a pair of German Blue Rams Cichlids and 1 Neon Dwarf Rainbow and to remove 3 male Bolivian Rams and 1 female Bolivian as the males were beginning to fight each other.

When the Bolivian Rams have been removed I'm not sure what to replace them with. I know that the Neon Dwarf Rainbow needs to be a part of a shoal so maybe I should get him some friends? Could any other species of fish go within the aquarium. I'm looking for a smaller fish/fishes and one's that are compatible with German Blue water parameter requirements.

The Aquarium capacity is 120 litres. It has been established for 4-5 days after completing a fishless cycle.

Any advise on alternative stock would be appreciated.

 

[meguro]

neon rainbow cichlid? which picture does it look like dwarf neon rainbowfish or rainbow cichlid?

i would consider rummynose tetras and/or cardinal tetras along with either some loaches or corydoras (make sure the loaches/corydoras are able to withstand 27C+ temps and that the loaches are suitably sized for the tank) and perhaps a single angelfish or a small group of suitable gourami (most gourami seem able to live nicely in 27C+)

 

[ajs2294]

I'd like to determine what this Neon Rainbow Chiclid is first. Is it a rainbow fish or an actual chiclid?

 

[mark4785]

I'd like to determine what this Neon Rainbow Chiclid is first. Is it a rainbow fish or an actual chiclid?

Hey Ajs,

Here is a picture of him/her:

 

[meguro]

if u clicked the links i gave u could have id'd it without posting a picture. but anyway it is a melanotaenia praecox aka dwarf neon rainbowfish among other names. prefers to be in groups. some more information here http/members.optusnet.com.au/rainbowfishes/Praecox.htm (probably one of the best rainbowfish resources on the intarwebz)

 

[ajs2294]

Well first of like Meguro said they do prefer to be in groups so i'd recommend getting another 4 or so. Then I'd recommend going with 8 Rummynose tetra and 1 Albino Bristlenose pleco leaving you nicely stocked. Of course you could swich the Rummynose with another type of small shoaling fish such as Cardinal Tetras or Harlequin Rasboras. But I would defiantly recommend a Bristlenose pleco as they are great glass and ornament cleaners

 

[mark4785]

Well first of like Meguro said they do prefer to be in groups so i'd recommend getting another 4 or so. Then I'd recommend going with 8 Rummynose tetra and 1 Albino Bristlenose pleco leaving you nicely stocked. Of course you could swich the Rummynose with another type of small shoaling fish such as Cardinal Tetras or Harlequin Rasboras. But I would defiantly recommend a Bristlenose pleco as they are great glass and ornament cleaners

I think the Bristlenose Pleco would have to be my favourite, nothing wrong with a fish that does a little house-keeping !

What will the smaller GBR's think of a potentially large pleco in the aquarium? Will they start ramming that like they do currently with the Bolivian Rams?

The GBR's seemingly ignore the dwarf neon rainbowfish, so I'm sure a shoal of them wouldn't change anything, but what about their tolerance towards the other fish you mention?

 

[fett999]

From expreience GBR's will very happily live with both dwarf neons and Bristlenose plecs.
To be honest they'll get on with a lot of community fish. They were probably ramming your' Bolivians because they were too similar.

 

[Gvilleguy]

The more I research the Blue Rams, the more I want to try a pair. I have extremely soft water and low trending pH. But I have to wait months for my tank to mature/stabilize!

 

[ajs2294]

The more I research the Blue Rams, the more I want to try a pair. I have extremely soft water and low trending pH. But I have to wait months for my tank to mature/stabilize!

Good things come to those who wait How old is your tank and whats the pH?

 

[ellena]

If you've done a fishless cycle and then removed fish, you need to replace them fast or you're back into a mini fish in cycle every time you add.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Good things come to those who wait How old is your tank and whats the pH?

Our tank fishless cycled for 70 days, and I have now had glofish and zebras in the tank for 2 weeks (plus we had a few guppies that died). The tank is not stable yet - our tap water KH = 0, and every time I do a weekly cleaning and 25% water change, the pH crashes from about 6.8 down to 6.0. So the pH has been ranging from 6.8 to 6.0. So I'm thinking I won't attempt a fish like Blue Rams until the situation stabilizes, if ever! I'm dealing with very soft water.

 

[ajs2294]

Our tank fishless cycled for 70 days, and I have now had glofish and zebras in the tank for 2 weeks (plus we had a few guppies that died). The tank is not stable yet - our tap water KH = 0, and every time I do a weekly cleaning and 25% water change, the pH crashes from about 6.8 down to 6.0. So the pH has been ranging from 6.8 to 6.0. So I'm thinking I won't attempt a fish like Blue Rams until the situation stabilizes, if ever! I'm dealing with very soft water.

Try this take a water sample from your tap and allow it to sit for 24 hours then test for pH and see what it is. You may just have to allow your tap water to settle for 24 hours before adding it to the tank

 

[mark4785]

If you've done a fishless cycle and then removed fish, you need to replace them fast or you're back into a mini fish in cycle every time you add.

That would only be the case if I removed some fish and replaced them 2-3 days later right? The 4 Bolivian Rams that I am going to remove will be replaced within 2 hours.

 

[ajs2294]

If you've done a fishless cycle and then removed fish, you need to replace them fast or you're back into a mini fish in cycle every time you add.

That would only be the case if I removed some fish and replaced them 2-3 days later right? The 4 Bolivian Rams that I am going to remove will be replaced within 2 hours.

As long as you have something producing ammonia in the tank your fine, just continue feeding and what have you. Its only really a problem if you take all fish out for a few days and don't compensate for the ammonia source