View Full Version : number of rams
redwing191
10-23-2003, 7:25 AM
i would like to get some blue rams and was wondering if it would be a problem if i got three so i would have a better chance of getting a pair. would it be a problem if i got either two males and one female or two females and one male (i assume the second wouldnt be a problem). also what are some good tank mates for rams?
valerie
10-23-2003, 11:42 AM
Rams are easily sexed so you can choose the male and female right away without having to buy a group.
females have a pinkish tummy. They have blue speckles in the black dot on their side. They dont' have extended dorsal rays
Males have not blue in the black dot. They have extended first and second dorsal rays.
I got my rams at 1" and they were able to be sexed. I wouldn't keep a pair in anythin less then a 15g as i have mine in a 15g and they are always chasing eachother even thoguht its planted.
AS for tankmates, don't get too many bottom dwellers as the rams occupy the bottom and will pick on them. I have mine in with cardinals, amano shrimp, and a bristlenose pleco.
Rams are one of the best community fish out there, so I'd put them, with peaceful schoolers, such as Tetras. You want to wath bottom feeders not only cuz they'll pick on them, but bottom feeders will eat eggs when put on rocks, etc. I'd just watch out for that.
What size tank are you having for them?
redwing191
10-23-2003, 6:41 PM
i have a 15 gallon im setting up and cycling for them.
valerie
10-23-2003, 7:12 PM
I would jsut get a pair for a 15g. Mine are in a 15g with 6 cardinals, 6 amano shrimp and a BN pleco. My sure you have lots of caves and plants for the female to hide if the male is chasing her.
id say valeries setup is prolly the way to go with a 15. more than a pair of rams would need more room to develop territories. as others have said watch the bottom fish the cichlids will harass them. i didnt realize this when i set up and added some cories, kuhlis, a loach. whenever they get over near the cichlid cave the male lets em know real quick to get the hell away. h enever has done damage but he scares the hell out of them.
also if your interested in small cichlids also look into the apistogramma family. they are of the same size and attitude as the rams and come in a billion variants.
redwing191
10-25-2003, 2:01 PM
could i put some gouramis in with them?
JazzyB
10-26-2003, 1:12 AM
That's a good question. I'm also considering a few Rams with a pair of Dwarf Gouramis. If anyone knows if this mixture will work let me know.