my rams are fighting

[G_Sharky]

I have 2 females that are now not gettting along, the funny thing is that the dominant ram now used to be the one that is being harassed by the other, but the other ram wasn't as agressive. Now the agressor has grown much bigger and the other ram is losing her colours or fading. How can I stop the agression?? some people said that I need a male, but I really don't want them to spawn cause the babies will end up being eaten and I don't want my rams to do any damage to my other fish especially my Discus.... What do you guys think I should do???

 

[AmberC]

I dont think I would get just one more.. I would get a few more females.. get a group of them going if you have room for them. If you only get one more male.. they will pair off and there will still be a lot of aggression. I've noticed with my fry that they actually do school. So buy a few more females and that will cut down on the aggression between them. As for what you said about not wanting them to spawn for fear of rams hurting your discus. My rams spawn in my community all the time, and yes they do chase the discus away, but there has really never been a problem. The rams have never 'hurt' another fish in my tank. All the do is chase them away from the spawn area.. so I wouldn't worry about that.

But I do think you should go with a few more females 2 or 3 should be good.

 

[semper fi]

what else is in the tank and what size is the tank? you could also add some dither or target fish to take the aggression off the less dominant female.

 

[AmberC]

what else is in the tank and what size is the tank? you could also add some dither or target fish to take the aggression off the less dominant female.

That doesn't always work with rams because they ARE aggressive with their own species. I would never recommend having two males and two females cause the two pairs will attack eachother and I would never recommend having one male and two females. The females will attack eachother and wichever one doesn't get 'paired' with the male will get picked on. One male and a bunch of females would be fine. One pair would be fine. A couple males and a bunch of females would work too. I also wouldn't go with just two females or just two males. The two will fight. Now before anyone jumps on me.. there ARE exceptions to this because every fish is different.. but I'm saying this as a 'general rule' kind of thing

 

[ramesses]

Hey Amber,I agree with you 100 %

 

[AmberC]

Hey Amber,I agree with you 100 %

 

[G_Sharky]

Thanks for the Advice AmberC... I really don't think i could add a few more cause i'm probably at my limit now(my tank is in my sig). Anyways if i get like 2 more, do I have to get a fully grown ram or could i get smaller rams

 

[AmberC]

Thanks for the Advice AmberC... I really don't think i could add a few more cause i'm probably at my limit now(my tank is in my sig). Anyways if i get like 2 more, do I have to get a fully grown ram or could i get smaller rams

Heres a thought too.. would your LFS let you take one of your males back and pick out a female? Then you wouldn't have to worry about it. I dont think getting a younger one would be too big of a deal. I think maybe trading a male for a female might be your best bet tho with your tank.

I think I would also consider getting rid of the common pleco too tho. From what I have READ (no personal experience with this one) the plecos can become aggressive towards the discus. Plus that will put some more space in your tank YK? Otos are great on algae

 

[ramesses]

Hi Amber,I have a gibbiceps pleco,and for the most part he gets along with the rest of the gang but,when he's going through some major PMS.........Forget it!He might even charge,although I have never seen him "really' attacking any other fish.

 

[AmberC]

Hi Amber,I have a gibbiceps pleco,and for the most part he gets along with the rest of the gang but,when he's going through some major PMS.........Forget it!He might even charge,although I have never seen him "really' attacking any other fish.

Yeah but what I read was specifically for common plecos. I can try to find the site again if you want me to. I just thought I'd mention it.