German Blue Ram In A Community

[Trollfest]

I have a 63l tank with 5 neon tetras and 3 honey gourami. I was looking through the indexes to see what else I could get and saw German Blue rams, they're so pretty Do you think I could get one, or do they have to be kept in groups? If you can have them on their own would they be ok in that size tank and with those other inhabitants?

 

[GrubbyGirl]

Your honey gourami's really need a bigger tank as they themselves will grow to 3 inches. If you're new to the hobby I would suggest not going for Blue Rams, they are really not a beginners fish. They are very sensitive and not easy to keep. They have to go into a very mature tank and they don't do well in fluctuating pH. Plus they need at least 75 litres per pair. They are a lovely fish but if I were you I would pass on them unless you get a much much bigger community tank.

 

[arobinson1984]

Agree with grubbygirl,

The tank is slightly too small, they require around 80 litres. Not only that but german blues are not a good general community fish because they require a higher temperature range of 28-32 degree celcius which most community fish dont like.

On another note, german blues also require very soft water with a PH in the region of 5-6

Andy

 

[Curiosity101]

The honey gouramis are fine in that tank.

There are two reason GBR's wouldn't work though...
1) 20Gal (80l) is really the minimum for either one or a pair.
2) They require temperatures from 28C-32C, which your other fish would struggle at long term.

As an alternative I would suggest a group of apisto cichlids.
Cockatoo Apistos would work fine and Agazzi Apistos should be ok too.

Edit: Ha, Arobinson beat me too it

 

[GrubbyGirl]

I was thinking of getting a pair to go with my Zebras, there are not too many tank mates who like 30 degrees, just not sure if they would compete too much for the food.........do they ever eat from the bottom?

 

[Trollfest]

Thanks guys, I suspected that would be the case but you never know. Oh dear, at this rate I'm gonna have to get a dozen tanks for all the different things I want!

 

[arobinson1984]

The honey gouramis are fine in that tank.

There are two reason GBR's wouldn't work though...
1) 20Gal (80l) is really the minimum for either one or a pair.
2) They require temperatures from 28C-32C, which your other fish would struggle at long term.

As an alternative I would suggest a group of apisto cichlids.
Cockatoo Apistos would work fine and Agazzi Apistos should be ok too.

Edit: Ha, Arobinson beat me too it

 

[GrubbyGirl]

Thanks guys, I suspected that would be the case but you never know. Oh dear, at this rate I'm gonna have to get a dozen tanks for all the different things I want!

It never stops at one tank, and it certainly never stops at a small tank. My advice is that when you realise you need a bigger tank (and you will!) go for the biggest one you can fit in, because despite what you think now you'll always want a bigger tank so why waste your money going through each different size!

 

[Trollfest]

Thanks guys, I suspected that would be the case but you never know. Oh dear, at this rate I'm gonna have to get a dozen tanks for all the different things I want!

It never stops at one tank, and it certainly never stops at a small tank. My advice is that when you realise you need a bigger tank (and you will!) go for the biggest one you can fit in, because despite what you think now you'll always want a bigger tank so why waste your money going through each different size!

I know! The stupid thing is we got the one tank cos we thought the cat would like to watch them (he doesn't go outside). Anyway, he has no interest in them whatsoever and we now have two tanks and I NEED at least another two!

 

[GrubbyGirl]

I know! The stupid thing is we got the one tank cos we thought the cat would like to watch them (he doesn't go outside). Anyway, he has no interest in them whatsoever and we now have two tanks and I NEED at least another two!

My cats love my big tank, not to watch as they have absolutely no interest in fish...........they love it because it's a warm place to sleep! bless 'em

 

[Trollfest]

The honey gouramis are fine in that tank.

There are two reason GBR's wouldn't work though...
1) 20Gal (80l) is really the minimum for either one or a pair.
2) They require temperatures from 28C-32C, which your other fish would struggle at long term.

As an alternative I would suggest a group of apisto cichlids.
Cockatoo Apistos would work fine and Agazzi Apistos should be ok too.

Edit: Ha, Arobinson beat me too it

Are you saying a group of apistos in that tank or that you would get apistos instead of blue rams in a bigger tank?

 

[Curiosity101]

A group of apistos in the 63l tank that you have at the moment.

 

[ALW]

The honey gouramis are fine in that tank.

There are two reason GBR's wouldn't work though...
1) 20Gal (80l) is really the minimum for either one or a pair.
2) They require temperatures from 28C-32C, which your other fish would struggle at long term.

As an alternative I would suggest a group of apisto cichlids.
Cockatoo Apistos would work fine and Agazzi Apistos should be ok too.

Edit: Ha, Arobinson beat me too it

Agreed!