New 38 gallon tank (45 us gallon)

[bigmick474]

In the pinned post is say to keep 2 rams, (is this german blue rams?) you need 20 gallons,(is this us gallons), does this mean i can have more or is it better to have just 2.
I'm just seeting up my tank and it cycling at the moment.
Is their anything else i need to know about keep these fish.
are there any plants i should get/avoid,
is there any thing else a begginer like me should no,
the pinned article told me alot but i'm not sure if theres anything else i should consider.

Thanks in advance
Michael

 

[sylvia]

Yes, that applies to US gallons and, yes, to german blue/gold/dutch rams. The only other 'ram' is the bolivian. You could also keep a pair of these in a 20 (prefferably long for cichlds as it's the area, not height, that's important) but bolivians are a little more aggressive. You should stick to a single pair of cichlids in a 20 gallon. Rams appreciate all plants realy. I can't think of anything you realy need to know - rams don't realy have any special requirements and are quite common fish. They do preffer a slightly lower pH but I have a pH of 8.0 and have never had problems with them. A consistant pH is more important than the exact value. If you get localy-bred fish or fish that have been in your LFS a while, they should be absolutely fine and need little acclimation. Blue rams are a little sensitive to bad conditions but aren't nearly as fragile (at least IME) as some people may make them out to be. They can, however, be stressed if kept with more aggressive fish (such as sharks or very active/nippy barbs). Bolivians are hardier and more boisterous than the blues though and do well in a slightly more neutral to alkaline pH. I personaly preffer the bolivians - they have more 'cichlid character' - though maybe not the same lovely colors as the german rams.

 

[bigmick474]

Thanks
Whats IME?

 

[dirtydogg]

In
My
Experience

and as stated one pair of rams would do great in that tank. Great fish too. Good luck.

 

[John_Nicholson]

My wifes 58 gallon planted tank has 4 grown angels, 6 flagfish, 8 gold rams, 6 or 8 plecos (all different, but all small types), and about 15 cardinals. It has been like this for a couple of years. It is all about the water changes that you are willing to make. The more water you are willing to change the more fish you can have.

-john