German Rams, Breeding And Housing Questions.

[Jeff000]

I have done lots of searching and reading on the German Rams, and while they are a month or more from my tank being ready for them I have a couple questions.

1. My tank is 18x20 foot print, I know rams like the bottom-ish, It will be fairly heavily planted by the time the rams are introduced, if I set up my tank as two sides with an open area in the middle could I get two pairs in there? each would have there own side.

2. Sexing, my LFS said they only ever get small Rams in, and I was looking at a tank of about 20 of them and couldnt tell a difference between any of them. So how do you tell them apart when they are young?

3. Breeding, Inbreeding is bad, now I assume rams are inbreed as bad as guppies, but would it be benifitial to me to get the males from one store and the females from another? And how would i make sure these two stores didnt get the fish from the same place? Or should I just not worry about it.
While I will try and breed them I dont think I will do a breeding tank and fry tank stuff.

4. What would be a good bottom dwelling mate for rams? I was thinking 3 small corrys, but they may make the bottom crowded, so was thinking of those clear shrimp, but I think the rams might eat them.


Thanks in advance.

 

[fishboytoo]

I have a tank with a foot print of 36x12.5 inches with one german ram in the tank. I started off with two but they didn't get along and one died after about 2 days. I should say that I think they were both males, even though I was trying to get a male and female. The guy at the LFS wasn't positive on the sexing, neither was I for that matter. My tank is well planted and the one ram is doing splendidly in it. I have been afraid to add anymore for fear of them dying also. So I have my doubts as to your keeping two pair in that tank, but I'm no expert. Maybe 4 is better than 2, make sure you don't get all males though.

As far as tank mates, I have 5 ghost shrimp in my tank and the ram hasn't touched them. I also have a full grown flying fox, the ram chases him around every once in a while, various tetras, and ottos. They all get along fine.

The german rams really are very nice fish, Good Luck with yours.

 

[Jeff000]

Thanks

anyone else help with the other questions?

 

[BLASK]

1. My tank is 18x20 foot print, I know rams like the bottom-ish, It will be fairly heavily planted by the time the rams are introduced, if I set up my tank as two sides with an open area in the middle could I get two pairs in there? each would have there own side.

2. Sexing, my LFS said they only ever get small Rams in, and I was looking at a tank of about 20 of them and couldnt tell a difference between any of them. So how do you tell them apart when they are young?

3. Breeding, Inbreeding is bad, now I assume rams are inbreed as bad as guppies, but would it be benifitial to me to get the males from one store and the females from another? And how would i make sure these two stores didnt get the fish from the same place? Or should I just not worry about it.
While I will try and breed them I dont think I will do a breeding tank and fry tank stuff.

4. What would be a good bottom dwelling mate for rams? I was thinking 3 small corrys, but they may make the bottom crowded, so was thinking of those clear shrimp, but I think the rams might eat them.

1. I would go ahead and try two pair, but no more, if heavily planted and with lots of cavework or woodwork for them to hide in, you will be all set.
2. Sexing gets easier with more experience, hehe, The females are usually smaller and will have a pink belly, some might have bright pink or some might have dull pink. I prefer the bright pink. You will have to get a good glimpse from the bottom. The younger the harder to sex them so the males should have a taller spike on their upper fins, usually the 2nd one. The female should have shorter spikes.
3. The rams available in the LFS are nothing special. I mean yea there amazing smarter fish than your regulars but they are not wild caught afterall. You should avoid inbreeding but if you don't know, than what can you do?
4. I had ghost shrimp and the rams ate them. No kidding. I didn't try larger shrimp like amano or the others. Maybe they will fend better. I havent had them in the same tank, but I do like black khuli loaches and I think a pair or trio of them would ample. They love to burrow in the gravel and if you have the right gravel, which I assume is something good for plants like tiny gravel mixed with flourite or w/e then they will be fine. They don't dig up the plants. Otos like to dwell anywhers the algea is even at the bottom so check them out. Try not to get anything bigger than the rams. Also if you plan on breeding, be carefull of who you pick as too many fish will eat eggs and fry. Its a great feeling to see rams lay eggs and its even a greater one when you see small tiny fry, but it just crushes you when you see the fry eaten alive in front of you.

Goog luck!

 

[Jeff000]

1. My tank is 18x20 foot print, I know rams like the bottom-ish, It will be fairly heavily planted by the time the rams are introduced, if I set up my tank as two sides with an open area in the middle could I get two pairs in there? each would have there own side.

2. Sexing, my LFS said they only ever get small Rams in, and I was looking at a tank of about 20 of them and couldnt tell a difference between any of them. So how do you tell them apart when they are young?

3. Breeding, Inbreeding is bad, now I assume rams are inbreed as bad as guppies, but would it be benifitial to me to get the males from one store and the females from another? And how would i make sure these two stores didnt get the fish from the same place? Or should I just not worry about it.
While I will try and breed them I dont think I will do a breeding tank and fry tank stuff.

4. What would be a good bottom dwelling mate for rams? I was thinking 3 small corrys, but they may make the bottom crowded, so was thinking of those clear shrimp, but I think the rams might eat them.

1. I would go ahead and try two pair, but no more, if heavily planted and with lots of cavework or woodwork for them to hide in, you will be all set.
2. Sexing gets easier with more experience, hehe, The females are usually smaller and will have a pink belly, some might have bright pink or some might have dull pink. I prefer the bright pink. You will have to get a good glimpse from the bottom. The younger the harder to sex them so the males should have a taller spike on their upper fins, usually the 2nd one. The female should have shorter spikes.
3. The rams available in the LFS are nothing special. I mean yea there amazing smarter fish than your regulars but they are not wild caught afterall. You should avoid inbreeding but if you don't know, than what can you do?
4. I had ghost shrimp and the rams ate them. No kidding. I didn't try larger shrimp like amano or the others. Maybe they will fend better. I havent had them in the same tank, but I do like black khuli loaches and I think a pair or trio of them would ample. They love to burrow in the gravel and if you have the right gravel, which I assume is something good for plants like tiny gravel mixed with flourite or w/e then they will be fine. They don't dig up the plants. Otos like to dwell anywhers the algea is even at the bottom so check them out. Try not to get anything bigger than the rams. Also if you plan on breeding, be carefull of who you pick as too many fish will eat eggs and fry. Its a great feeling to see rams lay eggs and its even a greater one when you see small tiny fry, but it just crushes you when you see the fry eaten alive in front of you.

Goog luck!

Thank you for you reply

I will try my best to get the females from a different breeder then the males, but I can only do so much like you said.

I will pick up a couple more peices of bog wood and let the plants grow quiet a bit befor introducing the rams, and will try two pair and just watch them close to make sure there isnt any nipping.

where did you find black kuhli loaches? I really like the ones with the bands on them, but all black would really be something. Luhli's are very hard to find here, I havent seen any at any of the stores I have been too yet.

Thanks again.