Dwarf cichlid tank?

[CalypsoGirl]

I'm starting a new 20 G tank andd trying to decide how I want to stock it. I saw some Blue Rams in the LFS the other day that really caught my eye...so I've been researching dwarf cichlids, and found Borelli's cichlid

I'm wondering if the tank was heavily planted if I could keep a couple rams and a couple borelli's in it? Does anyone have experience w/the borelli's, or any other suggestions for dwarf cichlids?

 

[Ghost_knife]

I think you can do Rams, those are nice fish to have

 

[TropicalNorth]

Rams would do well in a 20g. I have 2 male Bolivian Rams in 2 20g tanks. Males of the same species will fight, they won't do any damage but it stresses them. Best to get 1 of each species or pairs. I used to have a male Golden Dwarf Cichlid, Nannacara anomala, (interseting personality) in with the Bolivian Ram and they got on really well.

 

[pugwash]

If they're going in the 20G, then you won't be able to keep both species. Dwarf cichlids require approx 2 square feet of floor area for their antics. So I'd suggest either a harem of Borelli's or Bolivian Rams, in the 1M:2F ratio. I think Rams are substrate spawners whilst Borelli's are cave spawners - is there a cave somewhere in your tank?

Also, if your water is on the soft side, you can explore different species of dwarves - the two listed above do well in moderately hard water (along with A.cacatudies) whilst most others do well in soft.

I have a 55G with a trio of A.cacatudies and N.anomla, along with 40 dither fish, which works very well.

 

[Dustin83]

I also had 2 Blue rams in a 29 gallon tank before.

Like someone said up there, two males will fight, but generally not as visciously as other types of cichlids are known to. There are SOME guidelines as to how to gender blue rams(i.e. males have dorsal fin that sticks out toward the front), but it's not the most obvious or easiest thing to tell (at least from my experience). Even if you find a male and a female, blue rams are known to be pretty picky when it comes to selecting their mates, so it may not be very easy to breed them even if you are sure one is a male and the other a female.

Other than that, Blue Rams have always been one of my favorite cichlids. They're very peaceful; so peaceful that they can be kept with most community fish.

 

[dorris]

Blue rams are one of my favs too. I had for a long while 2 pairs in a 30G tank but I decided in the end it was two small for two pairs. The conflicts were never ending with the less dominant pair being pushed into the darkest corner pretty much. And then when spawning occurs the lesser pair is lucky to survive, usually they don't. I have had many casualties from this. Even a spawning pair can get so rough as to cause one of them to perish soon after. They do get along fine with other fish though. They will chase fish of a similar size a lot though such as platies. My male rams have always cained platies. And they dont like long finned bettas either. Females dont relay give a hooch about any other fish though, accept during spawning. Its great to watch them guard the eggs taking turns. I recommend in your size tank to get one pair and try and breed them. You could add some slow small tetras like cardinals to make them feel at home and leave it at that. Any other fish would be a threat to the fry and eggs. I would love to have the space to let them raise their own young. I am just about to setup a new 60G tank and think I will be getting a pair of Borelli and maybe a pair of Cacatuoides in there. I hope they will do well together in that tank. I have small tanks so I can remove the eggs and raise the fry myself.

 

[coupedefleur]

Blue rams are great. They will want fairly high temps- closer to 80f. Also, if you're hoping they will eventually breed, don't get the overly-colorful ones that are hormone-bred. If they have adult coloration when they're too small, that's an indication. The higher temps will narrow your plant choices.

Borellis would be a good choice. Cacatuoides might want more room, unless it's a 20L you're talking about. Even then, they might want more room.

Nanacara anomala would be an ideal choice for starting with dwarf cichlids- they don't need too much space, and are relatively peaceful.

Kribensis and their close relatives are also a good dwarf cichlid to start out with.