More than one Blue Ram in a 20L?

U

Ulan

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Sep 22, 2006
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I thought I'd try to keep a blue ram and got one about a week ago. It seemed to be a very personal and curious fish in the shop.

Anyway, now it looks as if it's a bit bored. It fights somewhat with the tetras (well, they started ;)), but otherwise seems not to know what to do. It doesn't help that the bristlenose steals all its food. Would a second ram be better in this case? Is it actually possible to get a second for a 20L?
 
If it fights with the tetras, I would consider choosing between them or the ram.
Then I would add a ram friend for him if you chose to keep the ram.
Try feeding the ram in the morning, as most plecos are more nocturnal feeding.
You might try giving the pleco an algae wafer/tablet a few minuets before feeding the others. Does the ram have a 'cave' or some place to rest out of sight? He probably wont be comfortable without that.
Also I think rams like the temp quite warm, maybe 80? If he is not comfortable with the temperature he will not be happy.
 
Peanutsweet said:
If it fights with the tetras, I would consider choosing between them or the ram.
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Hmm, I might have to. The tetras fight all day, and they immediately attacked the ram after he was added to the aquarium. The ram only goes for the tetras if they are immediately in front of him. But I found a dead tetra with a damaged tail fin the second morning after I added the ram, so it might have been the ram's doing. I'm not sure, though.
Peanutsweet said:
Then I would add a ram friend for him if you chose to keep the ram.
Try feeding the ram in the morning, as most plecos are more nocturnal feeding. You might try giving the pleco an algae wafer/tablet a few minuets before feeding the others.
Click to expand...
My bristlenose isn't nocturnal. She seems to be busy all of the time, and when she sees me, she comes watching whether I've got food. I already try to put food in at different places, but she goes across the tank like a plough, chasing all other fish away. And the ram seems to be a bit too shy, unlike all others.
Peanutsweet said:
Does the ram have a 'cave' or some place to rest out of sight? He probably wont be comfortable without that.
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There are one or two caves and lots of hiding places between the plants. Sometimes, the tank looks empty ;).
Peanutsweet said:
Also I think rams like the temp quite warm, maybe 80? If he is not comfortable with the temperature he will not be happy.
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No problem with that. :).
 
It's a 20 gallon long. Okay, looks as if I could take another one. I'm not good at sexing rams, though. Let's see what I'll end up with ;).
 
As far as sexing blue rams- I think the females have a bit of reddish color on their bellies and if you look at the dark spot on their side they have little blue spangles on it. The males have neither of these but do sometimes have the first dorsal rays longer. Hope this helps.
 
definetly need another ram, they tend to be aggresive and short lived when alone. ive had them with tetras and didnt have a problem.
 
jerzsky said:
definetly need another ram, they tend to be aggresive and short lived when alone. ive had them with tetras and didnt have a problem.
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Okay, sounds good. I hope the LFS gets some new ones in, because I bought the last one.

As far as sexing goes, I'll probably just have to take my chances. The colors of that fish change all the time ;). Which is nice :).
 
Why don't you see if you can take a picture of your current ram? They aren't that hard to sex, we could help you. You'll want to make sure you have a pair in that foot print, I don't think 2 males will work well! Actually, I have kept 2 females in a 20g long and did fine. But, I wouldn't try it with males.

Cathy
 
I'll try to take a photograph then as soon as I'll be back home on Sunday night or Monday :).
 
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