Attractive centerpiece pair for 30 gal community?

[BioHazard]

Also, does anyone know much about Lyretail killifish? They are also very pretty.

 

[Lupin]

i would say apisto, but im not sure if they would work with the neons.

Rams or apistos get my vote, although I believe apistos do best in harems...not sure.

Bolivian rams aren't that difficult. Just keep the water in good shape and you'll be fine. They're beautiful and pretty fun to watch.

I second the bolivian rams. With good aquarium husbandry, they will thrive.

:iagree:

Blue Rams. German or not. Great personalities! :thumbsup:

:iagree: LMAO! I did think the added first word is too generic already for blue rams. Rather type blue rams than GBR.

as long as your tank is properly cycled and maintaind german blue rams are not hard to care for

:iagree:

I'm also new but I did a good deal of reading about German Blue Rams before getting my one, and I must say that there are a few basic things to do that should go a long ways toward improving your experience and the fish's life.

1. If possible and reasonable, attempt to find a ram that is in water that's similar to yours. Sure, the majority of fish can adapt, but with a fish that is generally a little more sensitive everything working in your favor can help.

2. Don't just buy the first ram you see. I spent more than a month waiting & working with my favorite fish store to buy a ram that was doing well. They were regularly getting shipments with rams, but just as regularly within a week or so some of those rams were showing problems. Over a particularly slow 2 week period, they had 5-6 rams that didn't sell and didn't show any problems at all... finally! I watched the fish interact with each other and the other fish in their tank, and chose the dominant, brightest one. A couple months later, my ram is one of my favorite fish.

3. Take care of your aquarium! 30 to 50% water changes every week are second nature to me. My aquarium is very clean, clear and enjoyable, and my fish are all colorful, active and apparently healthy. Of course, running an Aquaclear 70 and a Rena XP3 on just a 36 gallon aquarium helps a lot too.

I agree so far!:clap:

Here is my dilema, I got two angels. How are they with angels since they are the bth cichlids?

They'll work well provided your tank has plenty of space and hiding places but as both dwell different strata, I doubt they'd be an issue towards each other.

What about betta's? Had one before he just passed away recently he didnt even chase a tetra let alone a mirror. How will they do with angels, like koi angels and marbles and blushings?

No bettas with angels.

Bettas and rams are both probably the wrong fishes to spend time with angelfish. I would go with something else.

I agree with bettas not to be kept with angels but disagree in regards to rams but it depends on the tank size which is something to consider.

actually, angels and rams being kept together is very common and works out great.

angels and bettas on the other hand has disaster written all over it

:iagree:

I vote for 2 koi angels.

OP has neons so this is basically trial and error.

Wow, that much at one time? I had read that 15 to 20 a week was best... is it just cichlids that need more? Like I said, cichlids are something I've never dealt with.

30 to 50% will work depending on how far your water parameters go. It's not really much. You'll learn sooner or later some discus breeders do 70% and over water changes daily for good reasons.

In my experience with Kribensis or I was just one of the unlucky ones getting a really aggressive Kribensis but it was not very happy to share the bottom with the Cories and fin nipped them non-stop.

It's trial and error basically. I had my krib with cories in a 15g and she wasn't happy with them so I placed her in the 75g. There. She's satisfied now.

 

[Huzzah1981]

Ok, Ram questions since this seems to be the most recommended fish here.

I am very interested in RAMS, used to have them, want them again badly.

Here is my dilema, I got two angels. How are they with angels since they are the bth cichlids?
What about betta's? Had one before he just passed away recently he didnt even chase a tetra let alone a mirror. How will they do with angels, like koi angels and marbles and blushings?

Thanks, sorry for the hijack, didnt think making a new thread will help with most the talk in here already.

There are more than a few members here that keep multiple Angelfish with German Blue Ram. Once I find an angelfish my wife likes, we'll have the two fish together.

Wow, that much at one time? I had read that 15 to 20 a week was best... is it just cichlids that need more? Like I said, cichlids are something I've never dealt with.

I've always done 30-50% even with my tank being filtered up to 18x over every hour... the vast majority of people here and at other forums regularly recommend 50%, along with the saying that "Freshwater fish like fresh water." For more sensitive fish, such as Discus, many people go with more than 50% daily.

 

[BioHazard]

Fair enough! 30-50% it is. I think I may have read the 15-20% thing for tanks that you are cycling, so that you leave in enough ammonia and bacteria or something. I just wanted to make sure that water changes that big wouldn't mess up the biofilter. Thanks for all this help!

 

[venarius]

Other Option...

African Butterfly!

Hard to find, but grow to about 4 inches (1/4 of that is just their tail) and are an upper level swimmer ONLY, they never leave the top strata unless the hand of god comes in to rearrange the tank...

So you could even throw one in in addition to the rams.

Just a thought...

Also, mine will take flake food, but prefers live crickets.

 

[severum mama]

How about pearl gouramis? They don't look like much when you see them at the shops, but when they settle in to your tank they become much more colorful. You could keep a trio (1M/2F) in your 30 gallon. They are more peaceful than many other species of gouramis.

Apistogramma would work fine and there are many beautiful species to choose from. Depending on where you live, they can be difficult to find so you may have to order online. I was under the impression that some species form pairs while others are harem spawners, so if you go with apistos you should research the needs/behaviors of the particular species you like.

Blue rams or Bolivian rams are also good options. Bolivians are generally easier to keep than blues. It's often difficult to find healthy blue ram stock in the LFS, so if you can find a breeder you'll most likely find higher quality fish.

Angels would work too, but you'd have to rethink the neons and go with larger tetras.

 

[Dopehand]

All of the ones I like have been mentioned.

Blue rams, Gardner's Killi, and Peacock gudgeons! You should have no problem if you get them tank raised, at the very worst they'll take frozen preparations.

 

[StarStruck8]

I won blue rams from a breeder on aquabid. They were my first experience with shipped fish and cichlids. I won 6 , was sent 8 (4 pairs), and all survived...I think if you get them from a breeder you will have much hardier stock. I was concerned about their reputation as high maintenance as well and haven't had any problems. Too bad you don't live in NJ since I am looking to get rid of a pair since I have nowhere to put them!

They are a very beautiful fish, I highly recommend them.