Ram Questions

[sunpirate2u]

Hey there ^^

I've been planning to get a pair of german blue rams...so I started research..but I
found out that they aren't very hardy and usually die quickly.
So here is my question:

is there any other small colorful cichlids that you would suggest that would do okay in a community tank?

 

[flyhawk]

kribensis and/or bolivian ram

 

[meguro]

bolivian ram, it's even from the same genus as blue rams

 

[sunpirate2u]

Oh ok!! Thanks guys xD
one question tho..... What makes the blues less hardy than the bolivians?

 

[Truck]

Blues are just as hardy, but when kept in the wrong conditions their health will dwindle.

Ideal temperature is 28-32oC, Ideal PH 5-6 and Ideal GH 0-12DGH

Fail to meet these requirements and the rams will either:

Get hole in the head, Have a suppressed immune system or slow digestion, which will then lead to other disease and poor health.

 

[meguro]

blue rams are also sensitive to nitrate, bolivians not so much

 

[GShorty1981]

Blues are just as hardy, but when kept in the wrong conditions their health will dwindle.

Thats the whole meaning of 'Hardy' is that they can with stand conditions different to ideal.

Blue Rams are a nightmare unless you have Discus liek conditions, i lost 5 recently before giving up with them, i still have one swimming around, doubt it will be there in a week or 2 tho.

 

[flyhawk]

water changes!!
water changes!!
(and the right hardness)

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Apisto sp. yet.

 

[snowflake311]

I love my bolviana rams. They are so much fun.

There are a few great dwarf cichlids.

Dwarf flag
smiling acara
Apistogramma cacatuoides ( there are many differant kinds Apistogramma)
Red breasted acara
golden dwarf cichlid

 

[ALW]

I am surprised no one has mentioned Apisto sp. yet.

Agreed!

Have a look at these Apisto's

Apistogramma cacatuoides (Cockatoo Cichlid)
Apistogramma agassizi (Agassizi's Cichlid)
Apistogramma borelli (Umbrella Cichlid)
Apistogramma viejita (Viejita's Cichlid
Apistogramma nijsseni (Panda Cichlid)

and as already said Mikrogeophagus altispinosus (Bolivian Ram). Blue Rams are very demanding fish if you can not meet the water conditions to the spec then stay well clear as it will only end in dead fish.

 

[sunpirate2u]

all very interesting....you guys are a great help! Now i got to do my studing on them....ha

 

[sunpirate2u]

would one bolivan ram do ok just being on its own....along with a community?

 

[Truck]

It depends in the size of the tank, but yes in general one male or female will be fine.

 

[sunpirate2u]

how does it depend on the size of the tank?