German Blue Ram 10G

[Noahsfish]

So I have a 10g set up with 6 harlequin rasboras. I'm still deciding on what to put as my final fish. I was thinking on maybe going for 1 GBR. The 10g has 2" of substrate, but. Might remove some just for the extra water, and then going for hardier plants like anubias, java moss, etc. I already have DW in the tank, but the ph remains higher at 7.2. So I was thinking of perhaps adding tons of java moss which I have growing in a different tank, and adding Indian almond leaves to make the water more acidic, or perhaps peat moss. My question is, would a gbr do fine in a 10g? I know most people say minimum is 20g, and 30g is recommended...but wouldn't it be better if it's say in something resembling it's natural habitat than in a 20 gallon that doesn't have plants and is crystal clear? If it's a definite no, which I'm guessing is the case, could it be temporary until I clean up my 20g and move some things around? How long? Like a couple months, a year? If I remember correctly gbr only live for 2 years...

 

[attibones]

They live for around four years and really need a longer tank than a ten gallon provides because they sort of patrol the bottom of the tank. That's why they need a thirty gallon. Don't put the ram in a ten gallon.

 

[greenmumma141]

Agreed. A 10g is way too small for even one german blue ram, and IMHO too small for harlequins as well. I have a 60g and mine cruise back and forth all day long. They need more swimming room...

 

[Noahsfish]

Thanks for the advice, but could a young gbr stay in a 10g for say 2 months? As for the harlequins I agree, I feel bad for them watching them zip back and forth all day, I might make some room in my 30g and transfer them there with a few new ones.

 

[attibones]

Not really. Even one at just a few weeks old will still be wanting to swim much further than a ten gallon would allow. They aren't good as breeding tanks for german blue rams, and they aren't good for juveniles or adults kept separately. You won't be able to fit them in your tank, sorry to say.

 

[greenmumma141]

^Agreed. Two months doesn't seem like a long time, but even just a week or so with not enough room can cause stress which can lead to all sorts of problems. 

 

[Noahsfish]

Actually, the more I'm reading about gbr the less interested I become...what with how sensitive they are, and lots of them are weak from being interbred...I think I'll just stick with apistos..

 

[attibones]

That's probably for the best. I absolutely love mine and got them from an excellent breeder, but they aren't the fish for everyone.
 
You aren't thinking of putting an apisto in this ten gallon are you? 

 

[Noahsfish]

That's probably for the best. I absolutely love mine and got them from an excellent breeder, but they aren't the fish for everyone.
 
You aren't thinking of putting an apisto in this ten gallon are you? 

Haha never, I'm actually planning on getting a pair for my 30g, my friend is shutting down his 55g community so I gladly offered to take them off his hands. I believe I'll be getting them next week, I just hope they'll be fine with cherry barbs and a opaline gourami..

If I do move the harlequins I might just make the 10g a betta tank with some shrimp and maybe a couple apple snails.

 

[greenmumma141]

Now that's a great plan for a 10g   I've got one in my basement that I want to turn into a betta tank when I have more room too.

 

[attibones]

Oh okay, cool. That sounds like a good idea.