compatibility question

[oboefish]

Do you think that I could keep a female firemouth and a male ram in a 15 gallon tank together - there are two separate places - a cave and a rock with a hole in the middle, where they could have their territories. I also have 6 zebra danios in with the firemouth ( I want to add the ram) but they're quick and stay out of danger.
My mom accidentally got 5 male rams and 1 female and she wants to get rid of one or two males if possible and I offered to maybe take one - but I already have my firemouth.
The Firemouth is still young and smaller than the rams - plus she's a she.
The Rams are Blue males and are always "facing off" to each other - I think they're full grown.
Please tell me your opinion :)

[Rbishop]

No, don't put the ram in with the firemouth. In fact, the firemouth is actually in way too small of a tank, IMO.

[oboefish]

Oh, my Grandma was with me when I got her, and she'd had firemouths before - she didn't seem to think so... hopefully it'll be ok - she seems to have plenty of space
*bites lip in concern* I hope I'm not squishing her too much
I've had a four or five inch cichlid live in there happily before( I forget what it was called) but he seemed to like it...

[Rbishop]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=65

I feel most people will be comfortable hearing that the minimum size of this 5-6" when grown should be a 30 gal tank, and a lot of diehards will say a minimum of a 55 with other fish.

What happened to the other 4/5" cichlids you had in there?

[rmcder]

Oh, my Grandma was with me when I got her, and she'd had firemouths before - she didn't seem to think so.
Well Grandma would certainly know better than the moderator of a forum devoted to caring for cichlids! :duh:

A firemouth should grow to 5-7" long; it's a pretty good-sized fish. A tank for one should be at least 24" long, preferably 30". One big fish in a small tank looks pretty dumb, imo. You have a small tank, it needs small fish in it; nothing over a couple inches in length.