Bolivian Rams: can they be added to this tank?

[Nemo is My Hero]

Hi guys,


The planned stocklist for my 55 gallon is the following:

10 x lemon tetra
10 x rummynose tetra
1 x dwarf gourami
8 x skunk cories

Those are fish which I currently own and will rehome in the 55. The following are fish which I plan to add to the 55 as well:

8 x orange laser cories
10 x emperor tetras

I was wondering if it would be possible to keep a pair of bolivian rams in this tank. Since the emperors are just planned, it's possible to delete them off the list (but I'd really like to keep the orange laser idea). Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Taurus]

A pair of bolivian rams would do well in your 55g. Be careful with the dwarf gourami. If the gourami shows aggression toward the rams, you may have to move him.

[gmh]

I would probably forego the emperors. I think that many fish would create too many distractions for the Bolivians and would push the bioload level a bit.

[Nemo is My Hero]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I think I'll keep a smaller shoal of emperors and add the bolivian rams later on. I've heard a lot of words of caution regarding the dwarf gourami and I think I might just rehome him and keep a honey gourami in there instead. I love the dwarfs for their coloration but the aggression involved doesn't seem to make it worth it!

[msjinkzd]

I have not found dwarf gourami to be very agressive, blues and gold yes.

[Lab_Rat]

I agree Bolivians would be a nice addition to your tank. I've kept bolivians with both pearl and platinum (3 spot variant) without issue, but that may have just been the individual personalities of the fish. In fact my platinum and bolivian male seem to have an odd affection for each other.

[The Red Severum]

Agreed, they would be fine. Just have lots of caves and stuff where they can hide and defend.

[froglover007]

That sounds cool. :)

[hollyfish2000]

I have five Bolivians in a 58 gallon, and I'd recommend that you consider going with more than two. I was told five gives you interesting community behavior, and I have to say I'm thrilled with the group. A few years ago, when I had just two, they seemed mostly to annoy each other and that was it.

I'd also caution you about how many cories (16 of two species) you'll have. My Bolivians stay in the lower half of the tank and that many cories might set up some competition for real estate. I have nine cories and I think that's too many in my set-up . . .