Recommendations on Dwarf Cichlids?

[AfroCichlid]

Remember Rams are more sensitive with water parameters. If your just starting with cichlids I would lean more toward the apistos. Be sure you have caves and plants for dwarf cichlids as they need hiding places. Rams should be placed in well established tanks IME.

Right. The OP stated that they have harder water, outside Rams' normal water conditions. As I said earlier, some Rams will do okay in harder water but may not breed. Most LFS use RO/ DI water and keep them in soft water. This makes them difficult to acclimate. I think you're on the right track with the apistos... no need to alter your water chemistry out of the tap as many aquarium plants do fine in hard water ( most Vallisneria, some Hygrophila ( stricta ), Aponogeton elongatus, Cabomba caroliniana, Cardamine lyrata, Cryptocoryne sp, Sagittaria pusilla, amongst others ). Some of these require more light than others... when you're ready post a thread in the planted section and you'll get some help on plant selection for your parameters and lighting conditions.

 

[Star_Rider]

I'll mention it ..someone else mentioned it earlier.

there are 2 species of Rams.

M. Ramirezi aka GBR, Blue ram
M.Altipsinosa aka Bolivian Rams or butterfly ram.

the Altispinosa are considered more hardy they are larger than the Ramirezi.

they are not quite as colorful externally but you may find them very social and playful.

I think they are cute lil buggers.. tho I have a hard time distinguishing the males from the females...I usually try buying them in a group and allow them to pair off..

unfortunately for me..they are not very available here...

apisto's are also a great choice...but for me the bolivians are tough to beat..mine always grow to be about 3 years old..roughly their max life span.

 

[fishndude]

I think you should do rams the come in alot of colors and are small you could keep a breeding pair plus some of thair fry.But they are a little sensitive to water quality.

 

[Kristinann]

I'm pretty much decided on the apistos (cacatuoides). Now, can I pretty much just get a male and a female, or do I need an established pair?

 

[AfroCichlid]

You can pretty much get a male and female, but that's a crapshoot. Most times they'll be fine, but why take the risk? It's better IMO to start with 4 or so and let a pair establish naturally. You should have no problem offloading the rest.

 

[Jannika]

I think they are cute lil buggers.. tho I have a hard time distinguishing the males from the females...

They're adorable! Here's "Debbie", but she could be he for all I know. I have her in a 20 with hard water and 8.3 pH and no problems so far.