German Blue Ram?

[Steph01]

I have been down to my LFS and I took a fancy to the german blue ram. I have researched and all my water quality and things like that are fine. I was wondering about what I should put toghether in terms of male and females? I don't want fry and also I don't want too much aggression between them both and other fish. Should I get just one male or female or two females or two males? Also would they be ok with my 3 cory and 6 endlers?

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

How large is your tank? Corys should be kept in groups of 6, 4-5 minimum in extremely peaceful communities. I've never kept endlers but I know that most common livebearers prefer hard alkaline water, whereas the GBR requires soft slightly acidic water. As far as numbers go either a single specimen or a mated pair are best unless you have an exceptionally large tank, pairs will claim territories in the tank and can become more aggressive when spawning.

 

[Steph01]

Hi thanks my corys seem ok but I will get some more if I need to I have had them for almost a month with no strange behavior or anything and my water is slightly acidic and my endlers are fine I also have guppies and they seem fine it in to I have had them for about 3 months also my tank is 54l.

 

[snazy]

I think you shouldn't add anymore fish to that tank. It's way too small. You've got 3 corys, 6 endlers and some guppies?
You can potentially cause a big issue by adding a pair of these, possibly even one territorial fish is enough to cause havoc, stress, overcrowding and overstocking.

 

[Zante]

Agreed, 54 litres is definitely too small for rams.

 

[attibones]

Rams require at the very bare minimum 30 gallons for a single pair. Your tank is hardly suitable for corydoras.

 

[Steph01]

Ok thanks for your help

 

[wrightt3]

Rams require at the very bare minimum 30 gallons for a single pair. Your tank is hardly suitable for corydoras.

Whilst i agree that bigger is always better in the case of tank size, surely saying 30g is the bare minimum is a bit extreme? 
That's a footprint of 36x12 inches for two 3 inch fish, i'd say that is the ideal size, not the minimum...

 

[fluttermoth]

Rams are quite territorial though. In the wild, they'll hold a territory about the size of your average dining room table, and usually only come together to breed. Putting two, especially if they aren't a true pair, in the same tank can lead to big problems. I've had a female harass a male to death in a 48"x15"x18".

 

[Zante]

Not only that, rams are gregarious fish. Not shoaling, but gregarious, they do much better when you have at least two pairs.

 

[karlnina]

are female rams a readily available as males 2 lfs we go to always tell us they dont get females just males?

 

[Zante]

That's really strange. I have never had any issue in getting whatever males or females i wanted.

 

[Rob69]

I have a blue ram in a 10g tank(not a pair though)he is fine and happy. When he feels like it he may chases the killifish until he realises that he can get them anyway as they are pretty quick. Most of the times he just does his own thing. I guess you have to make sure you have a proper setup with hiding spots for other fish etc. i wouldn't keep a pair in your tank either but one is ok in my opinion.

 

[Steph01]

Well that's what I thought but everybody else says different but I think I will wait because I am getting a much bigger tank soon so I will think about it then.

 

[Zante]

I have a blue ram in a 10g tank(not a pair though)he is fine and happy. When he feels like it he may chases the killifish until he realises that he can get them anyway as they are pretty quick. Most of the times he just does his own thing. I guess you have to make sure you have a proper setup with hiding spots for other fish etc. i wouldn't keep a pair in your tank either but one is ok in my opinion.

 
I think it's a pity to keep a single ram and preclude him the social interaction that makes cichlids famous.