What To Stock With German Gold Head Rams?

[Suleika]

I know, they have got 3x and they are £140 each - have been looking at them several times

 

[fishprotector]

They normally have a few in Pier in Wigan. It is worth a drive out if you have never been as they have some stunning fish in there.


Edit - Just looking on their blog page and they have apparantly had a delivery of large wild caught L046's earlier last month.

http/www.pieraquatics.com/Whats%20New.htm

 

[Suleika]

Thanks minnnt, but isn't 26°C the upper limit of the Corydoras Sterbai's termperature range? I have found several sources which state this, that's why I thought 26°C would be a good temperature for all fish. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

fishprotector, I have seen the Pier Aquatics website - they stock quite a few types of pleco, right? We are going on holiday for two weeks at the end of March though, so I am thinking about getting the plecos when we come back. Would prefer to be able to check on them every day at the beginning.

Speaking of which, I have read quite a few threads where people said that fish can be for up to two weeks without feeding, is this correct? I wouldn't mind investing in an automatic feeder though if necessary.

 

[Suleika]

I have raised the temperature to 27°C. We have been able to exchange the faulty rock against 1 coconut cave, 1 clay spawning cave, 2 mossballs and some cabomba (the second lot of vallisneria disintegrated just like the first one). We would also be able to return the second female if the other two pair up (however the guy said sometimes they form trios - not read about that anywhere else?)

Going to wait until after the holidays to get the plec/plecs and look at some alternatives to the L046 (thinking about getting a small group rather than just a single one)

I have also just subscribed to a year of Practical Fishkeeping with a free JBL Artemia Set and Artemia Mix

 

[minnnt]

Suleika, sterbai's are ok up to 28 and are often kept at even higher temperatures as they are the cory of choice for a discus tank, as are cardinals hence the reason I suggested them for your ram tank. Up it to 28 in a few days time. Make sure its that temp with a thermometer though and not just on the heater.

 

[Suleika]

Well, according to the heater it's at about 29°C already, but it shows 27°C on the JBL thermometer at the moment. Will up again in a few days.

 

[Suleika]

We have noticed today that the male scratches his belly and side on the wood, clay cave and on the sand every so often. We have checked for white spots and there are definitely none present, but maybe these are the first symptoms of ich? I can imagine that they are stressed (male bullies second male until death, now female bullies second female). Would you recommend I start treatment or wait to see if any white spots start showing? Should I fill in the questionnaire in the emergency section?

 

[fishprotector]

How often is every so often? Once every few minutes or once every hour? I would not start any treatment until you are sure in fear of stressing them further.

 

[Suleika]

I would say once every few minutes

 

[fishprotector]

Hmm that is a little too often. With your higher temperatures, any Ich cycle (if indeed it is this) will be sped up and should bring itself out fairly quickly. Get some aquarium salt to hand just in case you need it. You can only kill the spores when they are off their host and multiplying in the tank so I would start any dose of salt and raise the temperature to around 30 degrees once you see the first spots on the fish.

 

[minnnt]

Could be a nitrite issue. Flashing against rocks is usually a good sign that a water change is needed in my experience. 50% is usually enough, but you would be better off doing another 50% 2 or 3 days later aswell. Works a treat for me.

 

[Suleika]

Went to the Abyss today to take back the 2nd female and pick up some cherry shrimp. Did a 50% water change. All fish and shrimp seem happy - water is at 27°C. Thinking about getting a group of three leopard frog plecos when we get back from our holiday

 

[Suleika]

fishprotector, would it be possible to borrow your aqualog L numbers book for a few days when we come back from our holiday? Is it the second edition?

 

[fishprotector]

Hi, yes it is the second edition. If you like, I can copy and email you the info on the the plecs you want?

 

[Suleika]

My ram has spawned on the Sumatran driftwood! I was just feeding and noticed the male being more aggressive than usual towards all other fish swimming around the wood, then I had a close look and there are around 100 white eggs on a flat part in the middle of the wood! I was going to do a 30-50% water change tomorrow, will this affect the eggs?