Rams and Kribs

[Jakezori]

I want to breed 1 pair of rams, and 1 pair of kribs in my 29 gallon, but i dont know if they will breed with other fish in the tank. There is a raphael catfish, an algae eater, a rainbowfish, and i might put in some zebra danios... Will they still breed?

[Jakezori]

also, will normal fish food be ok for rams and kribs... what about assorted africans

[severum mama]

I wouldn't try it. If the kribs spawn they will probably bully the rams... I hear they have quite the attitude when they are "in the mood." ;) I don't think a 29 gallon has nearly a large enough footprint for them to coexist. Choose one species or the other... but consider rehoming the raphael catfish, as it grows rather large and will be a big strain on your bio load. The fish food you have is fine for either kribs or rams.

What tank are you keeping the Africans in? Assorted Africans usually means mbuna. Look for an African cichlid formula food.

[Jakezori]

ok, thanks for your help... i havnt bought any africans left, but im working on establishing my 20 gallon so i can put some in there... I plan on selling the raphael cat when it gets bigger.

[severum mama]

ok, thanks for your help... i havnt bought any africans left, but im working on establishing my 20 gallon so i can put some in there... I plan on selling the raphael cat when it gets bigger.

A 20 gallon is too small IMO for any Africans except Tanganyikan shell dwellers. Have you looked at those? There are some very interesting species out there that make a great species tank.

[Jakezori]

again Im getting smaller africans, and when they get bigger I plan to sell them... I already have 2 shell dwellers in my 10 gallon and i love them!

[Turbosaurus]

Hi Jake, I agree.

Kribs and rams both like to stay toward the bottom. They would have overlapping territories and it would not work. Rams can be tough too, but the kribs will get bigger. One or the other would do fine, but both will not work. Not even a little. Forget successful breeding, they'd probably harass each other to death. If you did only one or the other I think you would have success breeding them.

If that's your goal, get ottos or BN plecos as algae eaters, neither will eat fry.

The zebra danios will stay up top, and will coexist nicely with one pair or the other. They will eat fry if given the chance.

[mroth_3]

If you are intending on breeding them, I would consider giving a pair of either their own tank so that you can condition them. They may breed in a community tank but the liklyhood of any fry surviving is dramiticly less than if you give them their own tank. I would watch out putting plecos in there. From what i hear some dont have trouble with them eating eggs, but i have heard the opposite as well.

I also dont know that it is a good idea buying small fish with the intention of selling them as soon as they get too large for the tank. ITs a far better idea to either buy a tank that fits the fish or vice versa. Good luck