Should/can I add a ram?

[mandi]

Right now in my 20 gallon (long) tank, I have 5 zebra danios, 1 platy, 3 corys, and 3 otos. Today while I was at the LFS picking up some slate for another tank, I saw that they had German Blue Rams for $10.99.

I've been looking for one for a long time, but I hesitated and wanted to make sure it would mix okay with the rest of my fish. I've read that they're peaceful and do well in community tanks, but I wanted to double check. And I'm also concerned about being overstocked.

Should I get one (or two)? Or is it a bad idea?

 

[StarOrbs]

$10.99 for 1? Wow, I can get two for that price. Plus its good to have them in pairs.

 

[Talleyrand]

I have Bolivian Rams, not exactly the same but close. They picked on the cory's in the tank until I moved them.

 

[sylvia]

Bolivians are more aggressive. I think you could get 1, possibly 2 but they are rather highly priced IMO.

 

[fishman 1]

Yes,

A pair would be fine in your tank.

As for Bolivian rams, I have never had any trouble off them in the past.

 

[CathyG]

My blue rams (1 male, 1 female) are doing great in a community tank. Btw, I am not sure of the exchange rate, but I paid £15 for two seven months ago...

 

[aqtaquaman]

I think the danios would drive the rams nuts.If you get a pair try for a male and female.

 

[mandi]

I think the danios would drive the rams nuts.If you get a pair try for a male and female.

That was part of what concerned me. I mean, I read rams are peaceful community fish and all ... but I was concerned that the activity-level of the danios would stress them.

Ah well ... maybe I'll wait till I get another tank one of these days

 

[CathyG]

My Rams happily co-exist with Danios. They are not phased in the least

 

[aqtaquaman]

Maybe just get one ram then. If you get a same sex pair, one may bully the other. If you get a bonded pair they may become sick from the stress of protecting their established territory from such an active tank.

 

[aquarius]

i wanted to buy german blue rams but they were selling them for $20 each. that's just too steep for me. i got a bolivian for $3

if you can tell them apart then get a pair, i think they'll be happier that way

 

[snowyangel]

Rams can be peaceful, rams can be pushy. I find bolivians are a little grumpier then gold and german blues, but still not really an aggressive fish when put in the right environment. I notice alot of people mentioning to get a pair, but really its when you get a pair that things become complicated. Sure the rams will prefer being in a pair, but the other residents will not. When a pair forms, they become more territorial for a breeding spot, so they will be more aggressive with other fish in their space. I have one pair of germans in my 55g long cichlid tank and they tank about 1/3 of the whole tank when they breed for terriotory. A 20g would be too small for a pair who will want alot of territory, imo. Why not increase your cory or danio numbers? I'm sure they would be happier(since they belong in schools) than one lone ram.