Rams

[Rodders]

Im thinking of getting some Bolivian rams and Blue german rams but want some information on them.
Can only one pair be kept in a tank or could I have a pair of both.
I like them cause of the blue, so if I can only have one pair, which ones are the most blue?

Tank is 6 1/2 foot long, so plenty of room.

Thanks

 

[boom-sage]

i would stick to one pair of one species per twenty gallons. and if you want blue, you go with german blues, but since your a beginner with rams i wouls stick to bolivians for now because they are less sensitive to water fluctuations that german blues.

 

[10g]

6 1/2 ft long.. Your tank is > 50 Gal, i suppose?

If so, you can get up to 3 pairs of one species. The trick is you have to provide them a hiding place and open swimming space. The tank has to be heavily planted (either live or plastic.. I would reccomend live plants since they can help reduce the nitrate => fewer water change required). Addition of drift woods also benefits your fish. Tannin from drift woods softens the water and mildly acts as ph buffer.

Blue Rams can be a little more picky. But once you set up the tank properly, they are quite hardy ( i think). Don't forget to acclimate them slowly. Remember blue rams are sensitive to toxic chemicals ( Ammonia, Nitrite). The tank MUST be completely established before introducing the fish.

Both species are mid/bottom dweller. You can even add a few tetras (minimum of 4-5) to your tank.


G

...PS... This is my Blue Rams Rule. Other's may be different. The bolivian cousin can comfortably thrive in this condition.

PH: 6.2 - 7 (It also has to be stable. No more than +/- 0.2 per hour.)
Temp: 72 - 85 (78-80 reccomend. 82 when spawn)
Hardness: soft

The following pictures .. courtesy : Max Gallade..

Blue Ram

Bolivian Ram

 

[MET]

I believe you can keep multiple pairs of both in a tank with a 6 1/2 ft length. I have kept three pairs of Bolivians breeding in a 3 ft tank. THey make a great Colony fish.

Bolivinas are much larger and hardier than blues so they make a good choice.

 

[Angel Lady]

I just love the blue rams I seen them yesterday and came home and done some reading. And needless to say the rams are in my ten gallon with the ph at 6.5 and the tempature at 80 degrees and right now they seem to be doing fine. I plan on changing my water every three days until I get them settled in. Then I may go to once a week or I might just keep the water changes at every three days where the tank is just a ten gallon...If I need to do anything different would some one please tell me. I just had to have them,, They are beautiful.. Oh and one more thing I planted my tank with swordtails also..

 

[10g]

I just love the blue rams ... ...
... I plan on changing my water every three days until I get them settled in. Then I may go to once a week or I might just keep the water changes at every three days where the tank is just a ten gallon...If I need to do anything different would some one please tell me. I just had to have them,, They are beautiful.. Oh and one more thing I planted my tank with swordtails also..

yes ! They are beauuuuuuuuutiful.

Just wondering how old the tank is ?? I mean how long has the tank been set up?


Careful until they settle down. The first week is critical for them. When you change water make sure that the new water has the same properties as the one in the tank as possible; especially, PH and hardhess (both GH and KH)

My advice is .. If your tank is fully established, a "good" 10 gallon tank with plants can support a pair of rams for a week without water change. This way, the rams don't have to adjust twice in the first week due to the water change. The first water change for my ram was one week after i put him in.

My advice is not a must. If changing water every 3 days makes you feel good, you can do it =)



Happy Ramirezi,

G

 

[Angel Lady]

My tank is two years old it is one of the first ones that I got started with...I put them in it and made sure everything was the way it was suppose to be for them. I checked the ph again and it was up to 6.8 for some reason. I left it alone. what am I suppose to do if it continues to go up..I can keep water on hand with the ph at 6.5 but I am not for sure what to do..

 

[10g]

You might have some decor that raise the PH, ie. coral, limestone rocks, or anything that gives out carbonate. ( Look for KH. A tank that has them usually has water with high KH.)
You have to remove them from your tank.

I think PH 6.8 is still not too bad.. It just needs to be stable. If it goes higher, I reccomend partial water change with PH 6.8. The reason I am not using PH 6.5 water change right now because it'll make the PH change too dramatically. PH shouldn't change more than +/- 0.2 per hr with the total of 0.4 per day. (PH is logarithmic scale. Water with PH 6.8 is 2 times more alkaline than water with PH 6.5

Peat or drift wood will mildly help decrease the PH. It gives out tannin which also helps soften the water and has anti-bacterial property.. The only side effect is that your water will look like you pour a cup of tea in it.. but personally, I like that color though. So do many people.

B)

 

[Angel Lady]

The water is so cloudy in that tank today. I checked the ammonia and nitrite and they both are 0. I guess it will be ok for now the rams still seem to be doing ok..So I will leave it for now...