help with new rams

[bachismyhero]

Is it normal for rams just introduced to a tank (properly acclimated) to display a sort of 'nervous' behavior - mainly staying still, occasionally darting, breathing rapidly, etc? I am wondering because I just put a pair of rams into my 10G (they're the only fish there) with water comparable to that at the fish store (temp 79F, ammonia - 0, nitrite - 0, nitrate - 10 ppm, pH 7.0, all tested last evening), after carefully 'acclimating' the fish using the typical 'float the bag for 15-20 mins. and add some tank water to the bag, wait a bit and let them in' technique. I've got a 28W Coralife 50/50 bulb on over them, a big rockscape with caves, and a crapload of java moss and java fern that have been in the tank for several days now. It's filtering through a typical Penguin bio-wheel rated for 20G (set in a corner to reduce water movement). That's all I can think of at the moment. For the 10-15 minutes since I put them in now, they've been displaying the behavior described above. One of the two has calmed a bit more than the other but is still close to motionless. Should I just turn the light off? Any ideas? Something I forgot?

 

[Weezer]

Its a totally new environment to them, yes its common for fish, a day or two they should be ok........

 

[bachismyhero]

Thanks - didn't want to stress out over nothing. I remember adding corys and various characins to tanks in the past and seeing virtually no signs of stress upon introduction (perhaps that was abnormal!). I'll just keep an eye on it.

 

[Weezer]

I remember adding our Cory's and BN's and as soon as they hit the bottom they went to work, lol .............

 

[Star_Rider]

blue rams or bolivian rams?
blue rams like the water warmer I would keep it at no less than 82
bolivians like it 78-80.(tho mine color up more at 82)

give the a few days to acclimate to the new surroundings.

how long has this tank been set up?

 

[jpappy789]

My rams both acted very nervous when I first introduced them, sometimes never coming out even during feeding time. Their gills also moved very rapidly. They both settled down within a few days and are now the liveliest in the tank sometimes!

 

[bachismyhero]

The rams are Bolivian, not GBR, and the tank has been set up for a little more than a week but a cycle has already occurred (I think due to the introduction of all the ferns / moss at the outset). I actually just kicked the thermostat up to about 80 before introducing the rams - I haven't needed to lately as the daytime temp in this area (Edmond, OK) has been too much for our apartment to compete with and the tank normally ends up around 81 in the middle of the day. Thanks for all the input!