Why Aren't My Rams Breeding?

[LolaLouie]

I have 2 Bolivian Rams, 1 M 1F. They were paired up at the shop which is why I chose them and still n my tank they are together all the time and seem to be a pair... so why aren't they breeding?!?

They are 3/4 inches so i think they are old enough. Could it be because my pH is too high (around 8.0)??

My tank is heavily planted at the back with a large open area at the front. They have a coconut cave as well in case they want to use that.

Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Nitrate- 30-40 (same as in my tap)
pH-8

Any suggestions why? And if they are not breeding now does it mean they wont in the future?

Thanks

 

[Colin_T]

How long have you had them for? Sometimes fish need a little while to settle into their new home. The temperature could be too low, PH too high. Maybe do a partial water change each day for a week and see if that gets them going. Feed them well several times a day with frozen or live food and provide lots of shelters for them to breed in. If the fish are healthy and happy then they will do their bit when they are ready.

 

[LolaLouie]

I have had them 2 weeks. Temp is around 25 degrees C, how hot should it be? They also have plenty of shelter etc. I feed lots of live and frozen food but they never seem that eager, they eat but not with the same enthusism as my angels or gourami. Maybe it is asking a bit much after only 2 weeks!

Thanks for replying!

 

[TribeOfShroom]

I have had them 2 weeks. Temp is around 25 degrees C, how hot should it be?

They're probably still settling in, but I do think you could do with uping the temp a little bit. I keep my B.Rams at 27.5*C. Also what's your tank turn over rate? Because I've noticed my Rams love a good steady flow. As for PH.. I'm not too sure. I thought rams were acidic fish. Mine are at PH 7 which isn't acidic, but as close as I'm going to get it without messing around with the water chemistry.

 

[Colin_T]

as mentioned above take the temp up to 28C

 

[LolaLouie]

Yeh Rams are acidic but i don't want to mess with my water chemistry (I did post a thread and the general consensus was don't mess with it). I can't really turn my temp up much as I have fish which prefer much lower temps. I can maybe do it to 26 degrees. My filter is a 300 litre and my tank is 200 litre so the flow is pretty good.

If it's the pH or temp that is stopping them then I guess I'll just have to accept they wont breed

Thanks Colin!