Keyhole And Ram ? Will They Get Along Ever?

[snowflake311]

I bought 2 cute Keyhole Cichlids they are about 3 inches, they were together in the tank and stuck together. So I got them both. I have 36 Gal tank with one fully mature male Ram. As soon as they got adjusted the ram was all up in their junk trying to be the though guy that he is. Well the Keyholes were like oh yeah. So they have been having little disputes when ever they see each other. No one is getting hurt or freaking out. They seem to all be holding their ground with each other.

Should I be worried? Will this behaviour stop once they all get use to each other? Was it a bad Idea that I got these guys? They seemed so nice and peaceful. At the store they were being kept in a 15 Gal tank with 2 other rams. I am new to the Cichlid world. Is this behaviour just some thing they always do and well just learn to live with? Will they kill each other?

I thought these fish were peaceful. I guess they are peaceful with other fish that don't look anything like them selves.

Here is the tank set up.
1 Ram
7 rasboras
3 female bettas
1 Bristle nose Pleco
1 clown pleco



PS. I have lots of plants and many places for them to hide. I have a med size bog wood I'm going to add to make even more hide outs. It seems to be the ram that is always starting it. he is such a bully but oh so pretty. should i move him to a smaller tank of his own?

 

[minxfishy]

If the disputes continue I would remove the mature ram, re-arrange the decor and then introduce him back in, thus disrupting his terriroty as he sees it and placing them on an even footing.

36g should be enough space, but I wouldnt add any more cichlids, in fact i think your pretty much fully stocked, but with good water changes you should be fine.

 

[snowflake311]

If the disputes continue I would remove the mature ram, re-arrange the decor and then introduce him back in, thus disrupting his terriroty as he sees it and placing them on an even footing.

36g should be enough space, but I wouldnt add any more cichlids, in fact i think your pretty much fully stocked, but with good water changes you should be fine.

OH yes I agree I am now fully stocked, no more fish for me I am set. Before the tank was looking like it could use a little sometime. Tomorrow I will try rearranging the tank. I will add my other bogwood in that might throw my little bully ram off.

Thanks

 

[Brette]

Rams are funny. Mine is all bluff. Often when he sees the checkerboard cichlid in my tank he'll take off after him but is too lazy to really pursue him. The checkerboard cichlid seems to be completely unimpressed by his bullying and just ends up picking stuff off the gravel in the spot that he's been chased to.

I think rearranging things will help a lot. As long as this is a game to them (as it seems to be for mine) and none of them are getting seriously stressed out, sick, or constantly hiding I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[england]

agreed with da minxsta

 

[snowflake311]

Thanks everyone.

Everything is fine. They have adjusted well. I did rearrange the tank this helped for a few hours but the ram went back to his bully ways. BUT I set up the tank so that it's harder for the fish to have a straight line of sight.

Now that they are all adjusted the ram will still chance them but the Keyholes are not as scared of him. There is a lot less drama going on. I think they have worked out some time between them. There have been a few times when they have all been in the same area and no one gets chanced. I am proud of them. Yes my rams are funny. I kind of think the ram almost likes having the other Cichlids around but he would never admit it.

These little keyholes are AWESOME FISH. I think I am in love . They are not as shy as I thought they would be. In fact the ram is way more shy. When I was rearranging and cleaning the tank the Keyholes did not mind at all. They just swam around like nothing was going on. They don't get freaked out if I walk by fast.

These little fish might not be flashy but they have such cute faces and the best little personalities. Watching them interact with each other is fun too. I see now why they come so highly recommend. I want a bigger tank with more of these guys. I am happy with what I have for now. My tank is complete.

 

[ChilliPepper]

What I love about cichlids is that they each have their own little personalities! I have a few cichlids, as in my signature. I did have 4 little keyholes (bought reduced to clear from PAH rescued from a tiny tank) but lost 3, the remaining one is fine. Along with my angels (who don't get involved ATM), blue acara juvi and 2 male bolivian rams. One corner of my tank is a hotspot and everyone likes to congregate there, though the acara is the boss really, despite being small still. The keyhole rarely gets chased but ocassionally the more dominant ram will chase the keyhole, then the Acara chases him, so it's like a chain reaction. Quite funny - only happens when food is about though.

 

[snowflake311]

Well it has been over a week since I got them. They are all adjusted, I treated them for gill flukes. I bought them knowing they had something wrong with them but I had to save them. They are doing great now. They don't care much about the ram. They move when he chases them but they don't get scared and hide. The male keyhole will just kind of deflect the ram with the side of his body and that seems to do the trick.

The Ram has learned to share a little more. He will still chase them now and then but the keyholes seem to just think he is crazy and move out of his way. Now they are all getting along great. The keyholes are recovering well too. The keyholes looked so ragged when I got them they are doing great now. All the fins are healed and growing back.

So Keyholes and little Bully rams can get along. Setting up the tank so they don't get a good straight line of sight helps.

I am going to say that the Keyholes are my new favourite fish by far. I love their little faces and they are not shy at all. My bristle nose Pleco is my other favourite I can't forget her.

 

[minxfishy]

Im glad to hear those keyholes are getting better

 

[snowflake311]

Im glad to hear those keyholes are getting better

They are tough little guys. They act fine and are very happy. I think they will be ok. Their fins look great they were so ragged when I got them. Now I just have to get the skin funk on the girl to go away and it seems to be getting better. The male still has inflamed gills but besides that he looks fantastic. SO I hope his gills will heal. I am going to treat them for any secondary infections. It's weird besides the gills looking a little off you could never tell he had anything wrong with him.

So yeah they are doing well.