Should I Introduce Another Bolivian Ram?

[David J]

Hi

About 6 weeks ago I bought 2 bolivian rams. I tried for one of each sex but ended up with 2 females. One was smaller and weaker than the other and got bullied a fair bit. She lost lots of weight and hid most of the time and died about 2 weeks ago. The other is doing well.

I am wondering if I should try and source a male and introduce them. I would like to as this was my original intention but I am nervous that one will be bullied again as before. It wasn't nice to watch and I was quite sad for the weaker one.

I have lots of plants and wood and lots of hiding places. Does anyone have an opinion on trying this or should I just stick with the single female?

Thanks,

David

 

[r.w.girard]

If you were to get a healthy male, I would expect that you wouldn't have any problems.  The one that passed did look pretty emaciated when you got it, if I remember the pictures correctly.  And a sick fish isn't going to be able to defend itself very well.  The other option, of course, is to add a group of juveniles, which would limit the biological load, spread out any aggression towards the new fish and increase the likelihood of a pair or two, with the intent to rehome extras as they mature.  But, given your previous comments, this may not be the best choice for you.

 

[David J]

Hi

I wouldn't want to add numerous rams with a view to reforming the ones that don't pair so think if I do decide to add another I will look out for a good healthy male. I've been thinking about what happened with the one that died. It bothers me and I wished that I had a hospital tank that I could've put her in until she was strong enough and then reintroduce her to my main tank. With that in ind, I have decided to get a small 2nd tank for quarantine/hospital purposes.

If I do decide to get another ram I will probably wait until I have that 2nd tank just in case. I'm now just waiting for the right moment to convince my better half that I need another tank. I was going to bring it up last night. All was good. Mood was high. But then disaster strikes when the washing machine broke down. The resulting stress ensured I was never going to bring up such a sensitive subject I will bide my time.

 

[r.w.girard]

A quarantine tank really is a must.  So that is good to hear.  Really though, that fish that died really did not look good and I am not sure it would have made it in a tank by itself.

 

[David J]

Maybe not but I feel it would've had a better chance. We will never know. I now have approval for the 2nd tank after carefully timing my suggestion after a few glasses of red. Hope to get it sometime in the next few weeks.

 

[David J]

Quick update.

I've had a quarantine tank for a while now and successfully introduced some new panda Cory's after quarantine. I'm now going to go for the male bolivian ram. I will quarantine it for as long as I need to but at least 2 weeks.

I have 2 questions.

1/ any tips on when it comes to adding the male to the main tank where the female is? Is there anything I can do to give them a better chance of getting along?

2/ would it be a problem if I were to quarantine 4 oto's with the ram at the same time or would it be best to do one at a time?

David

 

[Fishmanic]

I have two bolivian rams that I got a week ago.  Don't know if they're male, female, or both.   But they get along fine and generally are condsidered a peaceful fish.  If you have breeding in mind, then I'd would say go for it.   I think it will work out fine.