Question re: golden rams

[boofish2]

I've been doing a lot of research on these guys lately because I'm considering adding one to my set up. I've read extensively about ideal water perameters, acclimation, disposition etc. but I haven't found anything siting whether or not they perfer to be in a pairs or by themselves. Any experiences out there regarding this? I've also read on multiple publications that they are extremely sensitive and it is not uncommon for them to harbor diseases or meet an early demise. Any comments? They supposedly also live only a max of 3 years. Is this true? Sorry to ramble, just would like to hear your guys' imput.
Thanks!

[kooter]

1 would be ok, but I do believe they like to be in pairs. Depending if you want to try breeding them or not. For breeding you would get a bunch and wait until a couple pair up then take the others out. If you do not want to breed them, get 1 or 3. I'm not too familiar with golden rams but with my bolivian rams , ( I have 3 ), they tend to themselves and are an excellent mild-mannered cichlid.
They do need some territory as they are a cichlid and can get a little nasty when a mate invades his/her space, especially when rearing their young.

good luck!

;)

[kcooley]

what i have found is if you buy one female and let her eat as much as she can for about 1-2 weeks then go and get a male she will spawn readily based on water. i always wait a little while when i lose a male and let her make a territory and get fat with eggs. make sure you wait until you find a high quality ram, in the market today there are alot of cheap breeds with less than ideal fish as parents and will never come close to a wild specimens color

[Cathy G]

Gold rams are a morph of the blue rams, yes they are very sensitive soft water fishes. They do not live long, not even 3 years. They are ready to breed at 3months or so, so I don't think nature meant them to have long life spans.

You really should QT incoming fish, especially rams. Keep them at 84-86 degrees, in very clean water. I also treat them with Prazi Pro for gill flukes when I bring them home from the lfs. (It is very mild, will not hurt them at all.) There is another ram affectionado here on AC who also treats incoming rams with Maracyn 1 and 2. Others also add levimasole to their list meds to add at first. (This is a wormer).

I have had single rams in a tank, they didn't seem that happy to be alone. Never swam much, didn't eat much... etc. I keep mine in pairs now, or maybe 2 females/1 male.

They come into the stores sickly and sterile much of the time because of the treatment practises in Asia where they are bred. They are subjected to hormones to color them up quickly for the market, this has a negative effect on their health.

They need very clean water, keep nitrates under 10 if possible, and NO ammonia/nitrites. Hope all this helps,
Cathy

[fish_freak]

Have you considered Bolivian Rams? There a little less colorfull but much much hardier then the gold or blue varieties. I also have heard that the gold morph are even harder to keep then the german blue's like stated above they must be kept in pristine water conditions. I have bolivians myslef and the seem to appreciate each others company.

[Cathy G]

Totally agree with fishfreak! If you want a gold color interesting fish, go with the Bolivians, they are so much easier. You can make a mistake with them and - depending on the mistake - they will survive. They are not a colorful as the blue rams, but ime, they are much prettier than the gold rams. They have lots of personality, those wonderful angry eyes, not to mention that tall black spike on top. They are a great fish, I really like mine - can you tell?!
Cathy

[boofish2]

Great advice guys!! I knew I could turn to you all for this!! Thanks a ton :clap: