ram cichlids

[spencerguy1]

hi peeps! I was wondering if anyone has any info on ram cichlids. I would look it up on the internet, but ive decided to ask experienced fishkeepers for help and info. Links would be ok, too.

Spencerguy1

[spencerguy1]

plz give me answers

[jpappy789]

What exactly do you need to know? Are you speaking of blues (M. ramirezi) or bolivians (M. altispinosus)?

[spencerguy1]

Just rams in general. here are some basic things i need to know.

are they predatory?
if they are, what fish do they eat?
how aggressive are they to other fish?
how aggressive are they to other rams?
do they dig up plants?
are they easy to spawn?

[guppy226]

I have german blue rams in three tanks, i have two 20g's with a pAir in each, and a male in my 29g with angel fish, corys, pleco, platys, and bloodfin tetras. The 29g is planted and they dont bother the plants or other fish at all. They are easy to spawn if you have the proper set up and stuff. Once you get them started spawning they dont quit!

[spencerguy1]

thx for the info

[jpappy789]

There are two species of "rams" each with slightly different requirements. Would be helpful to know which one you are considering so people are not confused as to what to answer...

Anyways, I've had blue rams. Yes, they are predatory so if you have something small like shrimp in the tank they will become snacks. Otherwise they just need to be fed a variety of foods. A good flake or pellet as a staple with some live foods (bloodworms, etc.) mixed in is best. Unless you have a larger tank a single pair is the way to go as any rams left out will be targeted. The best way to get a pair, other than buying a proven one, is to get 5-6 juveniles and let them pair up on their own. After that they are not hard to spawn. They may not be successful the first couple of times but they will get it down eventually. I found mine to be very plant friendly and don't do all that much digging anyways.

Bolivians are pretty much the same from what I've heard. They are supposed to be hardier and prefer cooler temps but the issue with blue rams is where they are imported from. Ones in most LFS are from Asia can be pumped up with hormones to look better but they often will arrive weak or sickly. Getting those from Europe (or even better a local breeder) will be better adapted. Most people think that all rams need soft water/low pH/low TDS when actually there are many reports of even the "sensitive" blue rams spawning in very hard water. Again, just get them from a good source and you'll be fine.

[spencerguy1]

thx for the info

[spencerguy1]

I have german blue rams in three tanks, i have two 20g's with a pAir in each, and a male in my 29g with angel fish, corys, pleco, platys, and bloodfin tetras. The 29g is planted and they dont bother the plants or other fish at all. They are easy to spawn if you have the proper set up and stuff. Once you get them started spawning they dont quit!

thanks for the info. But i have some questions-

are german blue rams from germany? i know they probably arent, but where do they come from? Why the name german?
What "proper stuff" do they need for spawning?

Spencerguy1



:perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::p erv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::per v::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv::perv: :perv:

[spencerguy1]

oh im also wandering if a breeding pair would survive and/or breed in a 100 gal tank

[jpappy789]

The proper "common" name is blue ram since they are not from Germany, but Venezuela and Colombia. They are called German blue rams because before the Asian countries produced the bulk of fish in the trade they were brought back mainly to Germany and bred for the blue color. Although other countries (the Czechs for instance) claim to have been doing it before the Germans.

Chances are nowadays that if you buy a blue ram from you LFS that it has never been to Germany ;)

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=183244&highlight=venezuela

[spencerguy1]

okey dokey

[Star_Rider]

Google

Microgeophagus Ramirezi(also Mikrogeophagus)
you can do some reading and save folks from regurgitating info.

if searching for Bolivian Rams look under Microgeophagus Altispinosa(aka Mikrogeophagus)

[spencerguy1]

Just one more thing...

Do they eat other fish? If so, what size fish do they eat?

[Star_Rider]

Rams are relatively small hence why they are dwarf Cichlids.
Please do consider reading up on the fish you intend to keep.
feel free to ask questions as you find more information.

the largest is the Bolivian and it may reach about 3"-3 3/4" in length.
they will eat very small fish or may pick on other fish. their mouths are relatively small
their main diet is insects with some vegetation.

[jpappy789]

They may eat fry, including their own, but not really known for going after fish as Star rider said.

[spencerguy1]

ok