Rams

[Squidman]

Are rams very easy to care for? I am think about getting some for my 29 gallon.

 

[TylerFerretLord]

Rams need stable water parameters (preferably soft and acidic) and are easy to take care of if you provide this. Otherwise, they are good fish to keep.

I wouldn't put them in a newly established tank as it willl still be untable until it older and more mature.

Mature the tank with the fish you want to keep with the rams, then add them to it.

I've heard they do well if you use RO water, but a RO unit is a bit expensive.

I'm sorry if I've said anything incorrect here, I'm just putting what I've read and heard from other aquarists.

 

[SJ2K]

No to RO water, not appropriate for ANY FW fish, apart from that its all good nice fish, easy to keep and good to watch.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Actually treat RO water (to raise KH and keep it stable) can be great for FW fish. HOWEVER you need to know exactly what you are doing and pay very close attention to your water stats are it can do much more harm then good.

As mentioned Rams can be a little delicate but as long as your tank is mature (I would recommend at least 6-8 weeks after it has cycled) then they should be fine.

Softer more acidic water is better but they will adapt to most water conditions and it is better to keeping them in water that is not quite right but stable then trying to mess about getting the water perfect but then having the chemistry changing all the time.

Spend some time watching them in the LFS. The best bet is to see them when they first come in then come back a week later and check them again for signs of whitespot and fin rot.

They pair up very easierly so if you spend some time watching them in the shops tank you should be able to pick out a pair (they will tend to stay close together and chase off any other ram that comes into their area).

German or Blue rams re the hardiest of the bunch. The first few dorsal spines on the male are typically longer then the females and they have a more rounded head. The females will often have a pink belly (depending on how old they are and what rams you are getting) and will have a more pointed head.

 

[Squidman]

Thanks for all the info on rams. If i do decide to get them i will either wait until ive had some other fish in the 29 gallon or i will keep them in the 10 gallon for a while but either way i will wait to add them to the 29 for a few weeks.

 

[thegnu]

RO water is the BEST water you can give ANY fish ANYWHERE in the WORLD. You CAN keep Rams in tap water as you can keep any fish in tap water, BUT tap water from county to county is very different some a lot better than others and if your tap water has high nitrates AND is hard and alkaline then it's like giving a freezing cold bath to someone with a cold

 

[bike_riding_cichlid]

From what I've heard, German Rams need good water. Bolivians, however are easy to keep. All I needed was soft water.