Keyhole Or Bolivian Ram?

[snowflake311]

In my 36 gal tank I have a 4" male Keyhole. I had a great Bolivian ram but I was keeping a male Blue acara in the tank temporally and well he killed my little guy. My keyhole is still fine He was getting stressed out by the Acara. I found the Acara a new home. SO my keyhole ( Carl ) can swim free again.

Any ways Now I am torn. I saw these Cute little baby 1" Keholes at the store. I would grow him out a bit before I added him to the big guy carl. Or I could get another Bolivian ram 2-3" . What one? I'm thinking Ram because I don't want 2 male keyholes because one always gets picked on. But I do love them.

 

[ALW]

A pair of Rams!

 

[snowflake311]

Yeah I'm going to go with the rams.

 

[Tropical_Decade]

I appreciate that this isnt answering your question,

But is it common for a blue acara to kill a ram and bully/stress out a keyhole?

I was planning on keeping a blue acara with a keyhole and a rainbow cichlid, but dont want the keyhole/rainbow to get harassed.

Cheers

Gaz

 

[Ben M]

i would go with the pair of bolivion rams, not normal rams (Microgeophagus ramierzi) however, as they aren't very hardy

 

[Joller]

I appreciate that this isnt answering your question,

But is it common for a blue acara to kill a ram and bully/stress out a keyhole?

I was planning on keeping a blue acara with a keyhole and a rainbow cichlid, but dont want the keyhole/rainbow to get harassed.

Cheers

Gaz

i think its hit and miss with BAs
mines 4-5" and it ignores my bolivian rams(3"), keyhole(2") and rainbow(2")

my keyhole follows him round all the time but

 

[snowflake311]

I appreciate that this isnt answering your question,

But is it common for a blue acara to kill a ram and bully/stress out a keyhole?

I was planning on keeping a blue acara with a keyhole and a rainbow cichlid, but dont want the keyhole/rainbow to get harassed.

Cheers

Gaz

Well this was one Male very dark blue. I read the darker blue ones tend to ne more aggressive. Mine was. They are known to bully smaller fish. Some are nice others not so much. I had the ram only 2", keyhole 5", and the Acara who grew to be 3.5" All in a 36gal tank. This BA needed to be to top fish and was always chasing the Ram no matter what. At first they were ok but as he grew so did his aggression. When the ram was gone he started on the keyhole. I saw them lip lock. The last thing carl the keyhole wants to do is fight. So he was scared to leave his corner. It was awful.

My other 2 BA paired up and are fine with the corys tetras and plecos. BUT I think if I put another cichlid things would not be so good.

Just because most Blue acaras are " peaceful" does not mean you can't get a pushy one. They are after all still cichlids. i don't think the fact they were all males helped.