Blue Rams

S

suby7272

AC Members
Feb 2, 2005
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Hi guys

Impressed by the pics that I saw, I got myself a pair of Blue Rams and put them in the community tank. They seem to be healthy but I never saw them eat what I offer to the tank (I give pellets and dry worms). The community tank just has mollies and goldies in it.
So, am I missing out on something ? Or, am I doing something worng ?

Regards

Suby
 
blue ram tip

i have had a ram for a couple months and i had the same question when i feed. but basically i have found that they are mid tank eaters, meaning that they usually eat only when food is in the middle of the tank, or on bottom. i use wardley total spectramax flakes and emerald entree frozen cubes and they do just fine.
 
Mine do feed off the top because thier such little pigs they can't wait for it to sink...lol...plus they have to get it before the gouramis do.

I feed mine "TetraCichlid mini granules" and live black worms from time to time..but basically they eat just about anything I put in the tank for them.
 
Might take them some time to get comfortable as well. Mine pretty much eat anything I put in the tank... flake, frozen brine,frozenbloodworms and live blackworms, they eat it all.
 
My Blue Rams were fairly shy for the first few days I had them, but now they are waiting at the top of the tank every time I put my hand up there and even swim through my fingers when I am pruning my plants.

The Bolivian Rams I am babysitting in there on the other hand still haven't warmed up and won't eat any food I put in there until it hits the gravel... Which isn't much considering the rest of the pigs in there.

Mine seem to really like pecking at the sinking wafers I throw in for the 5 Cory I have too so perhaps you might want to drop one of those in and see if they ever pay it any attention.
 
There are many fish that will take time to acclimate to feeding from the top. If you are concerned, get a small bowl or cup that is rinsed clean in dechlorinated water, fill it part way with tank water and then add the flakes, dried worms, whatever to it. Give the itms time to waterlog and sink, then add it to the tank. You'll find that some of it sinks instantly to the middle where happy fish pick it off. This can also help your fish avoid constipation issues.
 
Blue rams being a south american fish prefer a softer water. Typically, they are very active fish and will usually join in the feeding frenzy. Try lowering your hardness to help make the fish feel more comfortable. Also, pH is really improtant for these fish too. Again being south american fish they are use to a pH of around 5-6. Normal tap water is usually well over 8. Adding driftwood I hear helps.
 
Everything has pretty much been covered, just wanted to stress how important correct water conditions are when acclimating a new fish to your tank.

Blue Rams prefer neutral to slightly acidic water UDdiver81 gave you an accurate example of what they like. Plus the rams will generally stick to the bottom or mid-level when feeding, but that doesn't mean that some won't feed at the surface. :D

Also, the advice Harlock gave you regarding water logging pellet food, this way you can avoid complications for your fish.


BTW, did you get German Blue Rams, or Blue Rams? Just curious, because I own 2 long fin Blue Rams.

HTH,
Serg
 
German blue rams have more markings than normal blue rams, specifically black markings.

Here's a german:
German Blue Ram

I'll post a pic of my blue rams in a little while so you can see the difference. Plus a lot of people have copyright protection on their pics now, so the above photo is from liveaquaria.com. Don't sue me for using it, lol........ :o



HTH,
Serg
 
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