Bolivian rams, ??

grannylvsfish

grannylvsfish

have you been bad this year ??
Dec 6, 2006
3,124
1
0
Montana
we picked up two today as the pet shop said they go good with our fire mouths, what can you tell me about them? we also picked up 2 small anges to go in the tank ans so far we only had the fire mouth baby, and now 2 angels, and 2 bolivian rams, the tank is 29 gallon, is this enough fish or can we add 2 sucker fish ( son likes these) not the plecos or such, just the scurrying ones that are constantly moving . thanks for all your help :)

I also wanted to say our tank is zero on amonia and trace in nitrites are .5 on the dip stick and 0 nitrates. is this tank doing well?
 
Last edited:
rams prefer warmer temperatures (82-86º) than most tropicals (78º) or so. they won't thrive in that tank with your other fish.
 
liv2padl said:
rams prefer warmer temperatures (82-86º) than most tropicals (78º) or so. they won't thrive in that tank with your other fish.
Click to expand...
our tank is set at 81 and is steady at this temp. I do hope this is ok. the fire mouth seems to be happy as a clam
 
well, for now you could add some bottom feeders - cory cats would be good, otos to eat algae.

however, i would say that you need to keep up on the water quality, and eventually you will need a larger tank, 55g or so - not sure about firemouths, but the angels will need at least a 29 all to themselves when full grown.

watch your ammonia and nitrites for the next few days, adding all those fish at once will probably send your tank into a mini-cycle, and water changes will be good.
 
I just got a pair myself. I really like them, their 'mohawk' like fins move up and down when looking at other fish. I've got them at 78 right now but when I get a hood I'm hoping to make it higher. I've never had angels or firemouths.
 
Actually there is a lot of debate about the temps Bolivians like. I was told they came from the cooler waters in the upper Amazon and low 80's is too high. I have them in both warm water tanks with their Blue cousins, and in their own tanks at 79. I haven't seen any difference in color or behaviour...
Anyway, they are passive fish and until the angels spawn - if they do, might do ok with them. Once the angels grow, the bolivians will be in trouble. The firemouths however are another story... they could be trouble very soon. I'd return them.
How long has this tank been set up? Rams are very sensitive to nitrogen and are really a fish for well extablished tanks.
Cathy
Cathy
 
hakunamakarla said:
I also wanted to say our tank is zero on amonia and trace in nitrites are .5 on the dip stick and 0 nitrates. is this tank doing well?
Click to expand...

I'd have to say it appears that you haven't yet completed your cycle. You should get a liquid test kit to make sure those readings are correct. How long has your tank been running? If it's not cycled you probably shouldn't have added a bunch more fish. Make sure to do regular water changes!
 
fballguy said:
Yep would I agree your tank is probably not cycled. To have nitrites and no nitrates means you probably still have a ways to go on the cycle. Do you have any live plants?
Click to expand...
I do not have plants, just fake, I did a test today again, no amonia, and just a trace of nitrate. there doing good, the firemouth is being a pain but all seems well. I do hope the fire mouth settles down, but if not he will go back to the fish store. the problem in this town is there is no fish we can choose from, the store is so small, and he does not order often enough. so we are stuck with poor choices.
 
hakunamakarla said:
this enough fish or can we add 2 sucker fish ( son likes these) not the plecos or such, just the scurrying ones that are constantly moving . thanks for all your help :)
Click to expand...
just wanted to note you are most likely refering to CAEs, and no, they will not be OK.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom