Blue Rams ?

How many could i put in a 90litre tank , and what other species would work well with them ? The tank is very sparse , only some large sandstone rock pieces as the focal point with black pebble bottom and black background .. Do they require a special set up , or would they be fine with no plants etc ... ?

Thanks very much ..

Hi you should be ok with 3-4 rams, they are easy enough to keep providing you get good quality specimens- stay well clear of Far Eastern specimens usually have a longer body and fins best to keep either Euro bred, generaly shorter bodies and fins as they are hardier, water conditions keep nitrates minimum as they can be sensitive to this PH 6-7 stability is the key, small weekly water changes should help with this, they do prefer warmer water 28oC odd but not essential. I assume you have a test kit and this is an important tool in success. Smaller tetras, penicilfish, smaller peaceful barbs and gouramis species and corydoras catfish will go well with them they would be happier with plants as this gives them a sense of "safety" you will actually see them more if the feel secure.

I don't normally go in for advising on the 'stocking levels' as such, but use 'enough is enough' when a tank is getting to being over-stocked.
It also depends on more factors than tank volume alone.

Tank dimensions, filtration efficiency, regularity of feeding and water changes, decor, aggression, and species (it is not as simple as x cm per litre as some 'calculators' would have us believe).

The key thing is to start with a maximum of the minimum number of fish that will be comfortable eg if a fish needs, say, 7 others for company then start with 8.

Personally, I would plonk 5 Rams in to start......a mix of gender as well. That is not too big a number, and will help distribute aggression (even though one may get battered).

There are a great number of other fish that will mix nicely with Rams.
You need fish that are not too shy and not too boisterous...ie be able to take care of themselves a little bit.

Have some bottom, middle and top dwelling fish.
Maybe along the lines of having some Corydoras cats (I'd recommend Cory. sterbai as it will take elevated temperatures nicely), some hatchet fish for the top, honey gourami (or advance to chocolate gourami if you feel confident of keeping these harder-to-keep fish) for added character all over the tank, emperor tetras will make a nice addition, cardinal tetras (a lot more go about them than neons)....ie along them lines.

You'd also be able to have some odd-ball fish so long as the odd-balls are not too big to swallow any small fish you add. eg, if you didn't get small tetras, then even african brown knifefish or african butterfly fish will work as that added 'oddity'.

Decor, if you don't have plants then you would still need some form of cover.......bogwood caves, rock caves. In fact, adding bog-wood would be a great idea anyway as it will add some tannins to the water.

Good quality food and a varied diet, and good regular partial water changes in stable water are the key.
Don't let the water get too hard and alkaline, and avoid medication unless absolutely vital.

Ian

Serratus had posted whilst I was typing (or whilst I was making coffee whilst half way through typing).

ian

Jez Ian were you looking over my shoulder? nearly the same reply...
Wheres my coffee

serratus wrote:

Jez Ian were you looking over my shoulder? nearly the same reply...
Wheres my coffee

I ventured further though in suggesting butterfly fish

I have to ask the same question.....where has my coffee gone? I now have to make another whilst waiting for food to defrost.

ian

Ok , so say i go for 4 blues .. gimme the rest of what you guys would advise ..

1) 4 rams
2 ) ??
3) ??

I am totally new to the idea of cichlids of any sort .. and fish at 28 degrees , wouldnt have a clue !


much obliged

OK.

You have an idea of the types of fish that serratus and I suggested.....it can go much wider.

The fish both of us suggested are not just nice fish and suitable for mixing with Rams, they are also not overly expensive.

What I'd suggest is look at some fish that YOU fancy the look of.....then come back with your list and we can then give them a Tick or a 'Avoid'.

Afterall, it is your tank and not ours.......but we can be of help in suggesting which of your choice to avoid.

That probably doesn't make it any easier in the short-term. In the long term, however, at least you will have fish that you like rather than someone elses favourites.

Certainly deciding to go with Rams is not a bad start for future expansion with other fish. Some other species of fish simply nail your options to the ground from day one.

Ian

cool , really dont want to overstock , so just looking for some numbers advice really ..

Hi very true what Ian said... fish we like, you may not, so even do a bit of "googling" for tetras and see what you like.
Best to start with 4-6 fish depending on size and add 4 or so each week providing your tests are ok. Most tetras are best in small groups 4-6 happier and in my opinion look better..... we are going to have a massive shoal of tetras in one of our display tanks built into our counter.

great thanks .. As i said above we have it set very simply , all black with 3 largeish sandstone rock pieces , it looks great ( we think ) and we really dont want to add any more ornaments / things etc , just want a minimal look .. Its a 90 litre tall ..

will this type of setup be wrong for the rams .. There would be hiding places behind the rocks , but there a good bit of space from mid to top of the tank .. If you guys think that would be bad for cichlids than fair enough we will look at some other options ..

Cheers ..

Hi if theres a few hiding places great its 90 litres and you mention "tall" whats the length? All cichlids hold a "territorial footprint" being the floor space as opposed to the height and this may cause problems if its say 24" may not be enough space if they decide to pair up

its 60 cm across ( 24 inch ) about 45cm high or so ..

Ok i would personally go with 2-3 then as you only have 24" wide space, prob best to go with a pair if you can, males 2nd&3rd dorsal fin ray is longer, they have longer fins, females have red bellies when in breeding condition and have "stumpier" fins...

serratus wrote:

Ok i would personally go with 2-3 then as you only have 24" wide space, prob best to go with a pair if you can, males 2nd&3rd dorsal fin ray is longer, they have longer fins, females have red bellies when in breeding condition and have "stumpier" fins...

thanks man , great info ! .. I am thinking now that this tank is a bit too ' open ' for them to be happy in , anyway will do a bit more research and see whats what ..

Thanks very much ..

No prob research is key and if you want to "confirm" what you read/are told etc. post up on here and myself or the others will give you our view.. happy fishkeeping

They'll like a bit of open space as well as a few 'caves' or places to retire to.

The open space.....a place to shimmy and tempt mates to see what the shimmy is all about.

igmillichip wrote:

They'll like a bit of open space as well as a few 'caves' or places to retire to.

The open space.....a place to shimmy and tempt mates to see what the shimmy is all about.

im with ya man , its how i won my mrs , now I still do shimmy , but sometimes it needs a freshen up , maybe i need a cave too .. actually thats not a bad idea ..

I been reading up a bit on these fish and it comes across that they can be hard to keep ( maybe more often than not ) .. anyone think i should proceed with them , or get something a bit more straight forward ..

Hi they are a bit more sensitive than most fish but providing you test your water and look after them i dont see any reason not to try, they are stunning when you get good specimens and they settle down
You could try with some hardier fish like tetras etc as mentioned above and leave the rams till last until all settles in your tank if you wanted

serratus wrote:

Hi they are a bit more sensitive than most fish but providing you test your water and look after them i dont see any reason not to try, they are stunning when you get good specimens and they settle down
You could try with some hardier fish like tetras etc as mentioned above and leave the rams till last until all settles in your tank if you wanted

yeah , they prefare softer water a little acidic right ? .. My water is pretty much bang on 7 .. I really dont want to be losing fish from an early stage and have been reading that this can happen alot with rams if the conditions not quite to their tastes

Yeh they prefer slightly acidic but will be grand in 7 as i said before stability is key.. keep testing the water and you should have few probs