Ram Cichlids In Community Aquarium?

[FishyFriend101]

hi i have a 29g community aquarium and i was wondering if i could put a ram cichlid(s) in there.
the tank is completely cycled and has three mollies(2gold,1silver),2 platies,2 cories,a dwarf gourami,an angelfish, and a rubberlip pleco
(one of the gold mollies has a grayish-white patch on top of its head)
the tank is moderate-lightly planted but has some corners where the rest of my fish hide during a water change
 
my questions are:
1) are rams compatible with my fish?
2) if i get any,should i get 1 or 2?
3) does it matter what type i get?
4) which type should i get?
5) do i need to put in any extra plants for hiding?
6) should i wait until the gray patch on my molly goes away /cured

/dies

 
thanks in advance

 

[fluttermoth]

1) are rams compatible with my fish?
Yes, they should be, temperament-wise
 
2) if i get any,should i get 1 or 2?
A pair usually works best, but the can be very difficult to sex, especially when they're young.
 
3) does it matter what type i get?
Yes, very much so. All the different varieties of Mikrogeophagus ramirezi; German blue, blue, gold, electric blue, balloon are quite hard to keep; they need very soft, very clean water that's low in nitrates, plus a much higher temperature than your other fish would be happy with; your mollies and platies wouldn't like the softer water either. Bolivian rams are much more forgiving and might be a better choice for you.
 
4) which type should i get?
Definitely Bolivians, IMO. Even with the conditions I mentioned previously, many people find their rams don't last long
 
5) do i need to put in any extra plants for hiding?
With all fish, you should provide as much cover as possible. It makes them feel safer knowing there are hiding places nearby and will be more confident in swimming around more. Rams would really like a sand substrate as well (so would your cories), although it's not essential.
 
6) should i wait until the gray patch on my molly goes away /cured  /dies
Yes! Never add fish if there's any sign of disease in your tank.
 
Could your molly have fungus? Are you using any meds at the moment?

 

[FishyFriend101]

thanks for the reply it helps a lot
and no im not using any meds in the tank

 

[fluttermoth]

You're welcome.
 
Can you get a pic of your sick molly? Have you tested your water at all? All the other fish okay? 
 
Maybe start a new thread on it, see if we can't get it better

 

[attibones]

Hello there. 
 
I wouldn't add any rams to this tank. Although you have a 29 gallon and peaceful fish, these are fairly delicate species which require much warmer temps. I'd get, instead, several more corydoras, after your molly is healed. You also probably need to move the angel out, as they need taller aquariums than your 29 probably holds. DG also have vastly different water needs, so you ought to not get either of the rams.

 

[FishyFriend101]

im going to start a new forum on the molly and ill try to post some pictures there

 

[Noahsfish]

I agree that boilivian rams would be your best choice as the other species need more specific water parameters or are just plain weak. Your tank also sounds a bit overstocked as angels get large and plecos get huge (I think rubber lips do). And you only have 2 corys, I would get at least 4, 6 would be better.