German Blue Ram (Microgeophagus ramirezi)

Blue rams are sensitive to water, what you realy need to check is your PH and gh/kh levels. They like there water slightly accidic and soft water(6 ph) I think. Do a search, theres a lot of articles out there. Check the PH on your tap water too as that is what you'll be working wilth. If its too high using stuff like PH down just won't work in the long run. Peat moss may help with water. Also the size of your tank? If you get 2 males they may fight over territory or one get bullied if they don't have room. sometimes help to have the tank set up so there is a "natural" separation for the 2.

driftwood would also help in bringing down the pH. Other that, as long as what punch has already stated checks out ok, I would say that's a good start. The are realy pretty little guys and get prettier and prettier as they mature. Depending on the tank size, will determine what's best to keep with these guys..... for now, I'm gonna go with cories though.... they did well with mine. Whenever any fish needed a little time out or just to keep away from the rest, the plant cover did wonders.

I wouldn't worry about pH, gH, or anything alone those lines. I would raise the temperature up to 82F because rams do better in higher temperatures. The only time pH and gH come into play is really when it comes to breeding.

What size tank are you putting them in?

I wouldn't necessarily raise it up that high as that is probably the highest end of where Rams should have it comfortably..... they did best in my set up between 77 and 82.....

As to the PH, Rams have been known to survive in Higher PH, but there natural habitat is low PH and most breeding in low PH. If you do plan on trying with the higher ph you must aclimate them very very slowly. Also they are VERY sensetive to water conditions, onother resean to aclimate slowly, and keep water CLEAN.

Ok, I guess its time for me to chime In. I kept two pairs of rams, both of which spawned in my tap water within 2 weeks of getting them, and continued to do so every week till I got rid of them. The temp is critical, Rams like warm water, 80-82 is a minimum I would keep them at. IN the wild where they live the water is generally in the mid to upper 80s with even shaded pools reaching over 90 during the day. The higher temp is critical for their immune systems to function properly. pH is not that critical for them, as long as you acclimate them properly they will do fine, mine were spawning in 7.9 water. Clean water is a must however, 40% weekly water changes should cut it for them. A 10gal is suitable for a good pair, despite what other people may say, I have never had problems with them in a tank that size. A high protein diet is nessecary. My rams were kept in water that was a higher pH as mentioned, a mildly hard water, 85 degrees, and a weekly 40% change, both pairs laid eggs, cared for them, and they did hatch out. It didn't get any further than that however because my pairs were still maturing and had a habit of eating their fry and eggs after a few days. Something that rams are notorious for. Another point for keeping them at high temps is because many people keep and suggest them as tank mates for discus, because their water needs are quite similar, most critically being the water temp.

Blue Rams

I think blue rams are beautiful. I've kept them in the past but have never had a pair spawn, until now. I recently set my 60 gallon tank back up. I moved my two rams, two male kribs, and two baby kribs into the 60 gallon from my 20 gallon tank. Within two weeks, they have spawned twice. The first clutch of eggs disappeared overnight. The second clutch was laid last night and are still there today. NatakuTseng, you seem to have a lot of experience with rams spawining and ram fry. What steps can I take to try and get the fry to make it, assuming that any of the eggs hatch? I've only ever bred kribs before. They pretty much take care of themselves. Are the fry big enough to be moved to a separate tank? My rams are defending the eggs like crazy and have become extremely agressive toward the male kribs. I'd like to try my hand at raising the fry but am finding so much conflicting advise - move the eggs, don't move the eggs, etc. Any suggestions?