Rams + Tetras =

[Jaded_Pulse]

Hi everyone. I currently have a colombian tetra & a black widow tetra (+ a small apple snail) in a 15gal tank, set up since Xmas(ish). Will be getting 3 more colombians & 2 more black widows, hopefully next week, & I was hoping I could keep some kind of peaceful cichlid kind of as a centre feature u know? I've been doing some scouting around & most places say blue rams are peaceful, stay small & can be kept singlely in a tank small as 10gal. I've also read that a small shoal or 2 of tetras are good tankmates because they act as "lookouts" - so long as they're shoaling/swimming happily the ram knows it's safe. I will soon have a well planted tank with a couple of caves. So - I'm just after opinions one whether this would work or not? If not, any other ideas?

Thanx,
Michelle.

 

[Doggfather]

that is right what you have said about the "lookouts".

But

I would not keep black widows unless they are in a group of around 6 or more fish, as they are know to be fin nippers when kept in low numbers, i would suggest keeping only one type of tetras, and a larger shoal of it.

apart from that it sounds great!

Good luck with it and i hope we can see some pics soon

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

I know that would be the ideal situation, but I already have 1 black widow & 1 colombian - I was sold a terrible combo of fish by a really bad lfs, including these 2 (who never had shoals). All the others have died off, from stress & bacterial infection from what we (me & my good lfs) can tell. Colombian's really aggressive but will hopefully be better in a shoal, & I was hoping black widow will be more confident. Would I be better off keeping the black widow singlely or getting him a small shoal?

Great news about the ram just hope I'll be able to find somewhere that sells them now.

Thanx,
Michelle.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

i would suggest keeping only one type of tetras, and a larger shoal of it.

I couldn't agree more, more people should do this. I'm sure your good lfs will take back the black if you are buying more colombians, I'd be quite shocked if they didn't, and would change the 'good' part of that lfs.

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

I got the black widow from my original (really bad) lfs, & I don't think my new one stocks them at all. I am NOT taking him back to the bad lfs because yesterday I went in to check it out because I'd heard it had changed hands - turns out it hasn't. The poor angelfish all had bent/broken fins, the baby cories had worn down barbels & a few were bloodied up, neons were in atrocious condition & the only kitten they had looked like it was about to die (REALLY skinny & flea infested, etc.). I know they'd either kill him or put him into disgusting conditions if I took him back there.

So I'm thinking about letting m,y new good lfs take the colombian (they have lots & say they will resell him even though I didn't get him from there), & keeping the black widow, but I'm not sure where I could get him a shoal from - would he be ok by himself if I got the colombian a shoal? Also not entirely sure that my colombian's ok because I rearranged the tank yesterday to try to make him less aggressive & now he's neither attacking my black widow nor eating so..........not too sure what to do with that.....hoping he's just a bit stressed & will pull through ok.

Anyways, hope this makes sense, thanx so much for all ur help everyone.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

So I'm thinking about letting m,y new good lfs take the colombian (they have lots & say they will resell him even though I didn't get him from there), & keeping the black widow, but I'm not sure where I could get him a shoal from - would he be ok by himself if I got the colombian a shoal? Also not entirely sure that my colombian's ok because I rearranged the tank yesterday to try to make him less aggressive & now he's neither attacking my black widow nor eating so..........not too sure what to do with that.....hoping he's just a bit stressed & will pull through ok.

This all comes back to schools. A tougher schooling fish will survive on its own but is by no means thriving as it should. I don't believe they should be alone, they are schooling fish for a reason. These fish in general are not the same experience singularly as they are numerous. You already have the black widow and there's little you can do, I can't blame you for not wanting to return him (that place sounds terrible!), but it would make complete sense to stock up on some columbians if your good lfs carries them - if you can keep them in a school then by all means do.

 

[Jaded_Pulse]

Thanx doggfather & thecichlidaddict. Think if I can get 5 more black widows I will & put them in with a ram in my 15gal, maybe with about 3-4 otos (I have good filtration & will have a well planted tank by then). Will also set up approx. 10gal to put about 4 colombians + maybe 3 or so dwarf cories or something like that & a betta if i can get away with it. If I can't get any more black widows I'll have to leave him alone in my 15gal & just have a colombian school + ram & maybe still the otos. Thanx for all ur help guys