Golden Ram and Krib Help

[rotten_stars]

We have just purchased (well actually traded for a ghost knife fish) a Ram and a pair of Kribs for our 45 gallon community tank. Although we were assured by (actually recommended) the employees at the fish store that these fish would be fine in our tank we are a little wary about them, given as they are technically cichlids

The wierd thing is that at the moment the Ram is basically following around our baby clown loaches that we saved almost like a mother. It shows no aggressive behaviour towards them but sticks close to them, sometimes looking almost like its herding them. When they feed off the bottom the Ram stands nearby and seems to push away any other fish that come near to the feeding baby clown loaches.

The Kribs are very odd too. One of them is just holed up in an ornamental house whilst the other peacefully swims around the tank, occasionally raising the spines on his back when any larger fish passes by him.

Although they seem mostly fine now i am wondering if they will become aggressive with any of the peaceful fish in the tank, similar to the behaviour of any other cichlids when mixed with regular community fish (i.e. non-cichlids).

Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[optix]

ahhh yet another who thinks all cichlids are nasty barbaric monsters :D. They are not quite as bad as you may think. Not all cichlids live for the sole purpose of destruction. Rams and kribs being two species that are in that category of "non destructive" behavior. The kribs can get fussy at times but not down right belligerent. The rams are for the most part as peaceful as a guppy. Have no worries :)

[rotten_stars]

Oh good. thanks for the help. I know its mean to generalise, but agression is common amoungst cichlids, so what i said was aimed at them. Without saying 'cichlids are generally aggressive' i woul have had to reel off all the names of those that are, whilst defending those that arent.

So you think that they will be fine with my other fish. I really like the way that the ram seems to be mothering and protecting the baby loaches.

[optix]

Yes I honestly do believe they will be fine with your fish. Totally 100%. The only ones that MAY present a small problem are the kribs. Highly unlikely though and the rams will definatly be fine.

[dave76]

kribs are known to be somewhat aggressive when breeding, but take up a small teritory, I think withe a 45 gallon you should be fine. Blue rams are perfect community fish if you can keep them healthy.

[rotten_stars]

I have just discovered they are actually High Finned Rams, are they the same as Blue Rams?

[dave76]

there are only two types of rams that I am aware of, and those are the bolivian rams and the german blue rams.....judging by the pictures you posted I would think they were blue rams.

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

They will do just fine, as optix said before. I've just recently set up my new 30" long tank and have add 2 blue rams to the list. The rams as peaceful as a guppy, I would say even more peaceful simply because guppies can tend to fin nip :P. Things should be A-OK.

So where can I find pictures which were posted?

[dave76]

I must have been thinking of another thread.......:confused:

[Mystroe_TheMyst]

Ok, no troubles just thought there might of been another post that had a link or pictures attached somwhere......

but can you tell me how to sex rams? I'm also thinking about getting a pair of cockatoo's for my 30"...I guess not the right thread to be asking...