Ok im getting a dwarf cichlid

[wwestar2000]

Ok i was going to start my coldwater tank but was given a heater. The heater is a good size for my tank and actaully works. So the tank is a 20 gallon. I think i want a small cichlid. Maybe a pair of rams! They sell them at my petco and last time i went saw a pair. Any advice on how many i should get? If i could only have like a pair what like back round fish can i add. I once saw a pic of someones tank and they had rams and female bettas together. So yeah thanks!
Ps. My tank is 20 gallon long and has alot of hiding places. I just read i could put cherry barbs in there. And that i could have 2 pairs is that accurate?

 

[wwestar2000]

also if i could put a female betta in there. I only have 2 will they go at each outher if the rams are in there? if so ill just keep one in there and one in my livebearer tank. thnks.

 

[colombian nica]

I always wanted a Ram. they're really good..... well @ least the ones i kno lol! they're good looking fish but I dont have enough room in my tank. Sorry I dont know any answers to your questions though. Good luck!

xoxoxoxox Jenn

 

[wwestar2000]

Anyone know what peat is? I keep reading that sites suggest to put peat in the tank. Idk what that is? Plz someone respond

 

[sylvia]

Make sure you fishless cycle the tank first (read link in signature).

Are you specificaly wanting a pair of rams? If so, that should be fine. Stick to just one pair and no other cichlids. You may want to consider bolivians instead of german blue/gold if you don't have water on the softer, more acidic side. Also, make sure you get healthy rams or else they are prone to disease.

Female bettas should be kept in a group of at least 4. That would be fine along with a pair of rams if that's what you want.

A couple of pairs of cherry barbs should also be fine.

Other than that, most peaceful schooling fish would be fine with them. If the rams breed it'll prove useful to be quite quick though and not something too prone to being bullied. I'd avoid things like hatchetfish unless the tank's going to be very heavily planted but harlequin rasboras, black phantom tetras or zebra/leopard danios would be ideal. Obviously, a group of at least 5-6 is necessary because they are schooling fish. Most livebearers and suitably-sized, relatively peaceful gouramies also work.

Obviously, don't over-stock the tank and make sure you keep up with maintainance. my personal opinion is that you should do the following:
2 rams
4 bettas
2 cherry barbs
5 zebra danios

Alternatively, skip the bettas and replace with either a trio of platies/swordtails or a school of 6 harlequin rasboras.
Or if you skipped the danios, maybe a trio of honey gouramies OR a single three-spot gourami would be good replacements (but not if you have bettas - gouramies and bettas don't get along).

 

[wwestar2000]

Omg thank you so much sylvia. Ok so I think a pair of bolivians rams. Those are actaully the only kind petco has. A group of cherry barb. I love how they look I think there super cute. Maybe one female betta cause i already have one. I have cory cats in my livebearer tank that I think will get to big for it. I heard albinos dont grow as big as the assorted kind. And i have a livebearer tank with ballon mollies in it. I always have fry so i could just add some when they mature. ok so
2 rams
2 snails
2 cory
maybe 4ish or less cherry barbs
1 female betta
2 Ballon Mollie
I dont know if i could affrord a school of danios
Is this good? If its not tell me what to take out.
Ps. My ank has been cycled already. So no need to do I was already preparing for the coldwater tank.

 

[wwestar2000]

anyone else?

oh i just realized i cant put cory's into the tank. There were stories of rams biteing there eyes off. Dont want that. I also read that i am allowed to have 2 pairs. If i can i would love that and not put all those other fish in. Maybe just 1 female betta and a pair of cherry barbs. Any ideas?

 

[wwestar2000]

ok so can it be?
4 rams
1 female betta
1 snail
a small group of cherry barbs Can i do that?
4 rams= roughly 12 inchs= 12 gallons
+1 gallon female betta
that would leave 7 gallons for the cherry barbs and my snail. Good?

 

[abstract]

no, only one pair of rams per 20 gallons IMO

 

[wwestar2000]

I read on one site it sayed some people are succesful spawning a pair of rams in 5 gallons but a ten gallon is better.
I read that somewhere on google
and someone posted about there rams they keep in a 20 gallon with 2 pairs.
IDK Im confused

 

[abstract]

that's why it's my opinion....do with it what you will but as soon as a pair spawns, the other pair is going to be harassed...its your decision in the end but it wouldn't hurt to start out with a pair (which you don't actually even know if it's a pair in the first place - could be two males in which case the subdominate male will be harrassed from the beginning - but then again that is more commonly seen in blue rams than bolivians) ....but in actuality your tank is fully stocked with a single pair of rams as is...

you shouldnt' compare advice on a community tank to that of what a breeder says...sure rams spawn in 5 and 10 gallon tanks...alone, with no other fish....

 

[wwestar2000]

So maybe ill start with 2 and get 2 more later on. I actaully saw a pair at petmart. I was sure it was a pair cause it was a really nice one (male) and a smaller one in a corner in the front of the tank. And whenever another ram would come close one would chase him away and come back to the partner. I even think they had eggs cause they had a little indent in the gravel and i think i saw little eggs. But last time i went i saw the male there and his partner wasnt! Heres a question. If a ram gets seporated with its pair for a long time will it pair with another one after a while?

 

[abstract]

in general, you have a good chance of it repairing with someone different....if it is interested in spawning (whether male or female) it will usually pair off with anything that will give it the time of day