How many Keyholes and Blue rams can I keep together in a 29g? Just wondering, I was hoping at least one pair of each.
How many
- Thread starter Jezah
- Start date
If you are willing to keep dither fish to a minimum (couple of cories as garbage men) I bet you could have a pair of keyholes (5in each) and a trio or even two pairs of rams.
PS If the blue rams die on you try bolivian rams (much tougher and in my opinion more active)
Sounds like a great tank
good luck
PS If the blue rams die on you try bolivian rams (much tougher and in my opinion more active)
Sounds like a great tank
good luck
a 29 is pretty small for two pairs, if i were you i would go for a pair of rams and add a trio of cory cats OR a couple upside down cats. But a 29 is not really ideal for more than a pair of cichlids as they get aggressive when spawning.
Ok, upon seeing my previous suggestion in type "2 keyholes and 3 or 4 Rams" might be a little dense (sorry), but this guy really seems like he wants to try two pair in a 29g.
Jezah, you have heard others advize not keeping more than one pair. I think it could be possible with lots of cover and the right pair (they all have different personalities, even within species), but I strongly advise you to have a second tank (it could even be a 5g bucket with a heater and fully cycled filter) ready to hold the second pair in case there are problems down the road, and be ready to return or give them away to a pet store or fellow hobbiest. If either pair does breed you will need a second tank to grow up the fry anyway.
I must mention that I am not as experienced as the people who advise against this, but I think with the proper preparations (second tank) there is nothing wrong with at least trying to make it work.
Jezah, you have heard others advize not keeping more than one pair. I think it could be possible with lots of cover and the right pair (they all have different personalities, even within species), but I strongly advise you to have a second tank (it could even be a 5g bucket with a heater and fully cycled filter) ready to hold the second pair in case there are problems down the road, and be ready to return or give them away to a pet store or fellow hobbiest. If either pair does breed you will need a second tank to grow up the fry anyway.
I must mention that I am not as experienced as the people who advise against this, but I think with the proper preparations (second tank) there is nothing wrong with at least trying to make it work.
I agree with mooman. It probably isn't advisable, but if you insist make sure you have lots and lots of plants and a couple of caves for hiding. It might be beneficial to set up hidey holes at opposite ends of the tank.
Another thing to consider, and I realize that this isn't on your list from the other post, but have you considered any of the african shelldwellers? You could potentially keep a healthy colony of Neolamprologus Brevis or Multis (or similis if you can get your hands on some) in your tank. Their water requirements are different than South Americans, but I have heard they are really satifying in terms of behaviour and the space requiremnts for the smaller species is considerably less then Rams.
Another thing to consider, and I realize that this isn't on your list from the other post, but have you considered any of the african shelldwellers? You could potentially keep a healthy colony of Neolamprologus Brevis or Multis (or similis if you can get your hands on some) in your tank. Their water requirements are different than South Americans, but I have heard they are really satifying in terms of behaviour and the space requiremnts for the smaller species is considerably less then Rams.
I'd just like to add that Rams, Blue or Bolivian, tend to be skittish and seem to do best when they have a school of dither fish moving calmly around the tank. Like little prozacs for Rams 
.
Yes, you could do it/try it, but your Rams will do much better by themselves and some dithers.
.Yes, you could do it/try it, but your Rams will do much better by themselves and some dithers.
Oh, i think blue rams are pretty...but if they are wicked skittish and hide all the time then I am not sure I want that...
As far as keyholes go...could I have 2 breeding pairs of them in my tank? I have plenty of spare tanks to move them into if problems arise. Are keyholes more bold? Cause I have heard several people say blue rams are shy...and I dislike fish that hide all day. I like to see my fish!
What other community fish can go with keyholes? Tetras, mollies ECT...?
As far as keyholes go...could I have 2 breeding pairs of them in my tank? I have plenty of spare tanks to move them into if problems arise. Are keyholes more bold? Cause I have heard several people say blue rams are shy...and I dislike fish that hide all day. I like to see my fish!
What other community fish can go with keyholes? Tetras, mollies ECT...?
Its not that they hide all the time, but they are naturally very wary and a school of dithers lets then know the coast is clear and they go about their normal business.
Also unless your experienced with temperamental and somewhat fragile fish and have mature tanks with no water problems, then Blue Rams may not be for you as they can be touchy.
However the Bolivian rams are much hardier and more tolerant of water conditions, but water conditions are still a major factor when keeping Bolivians. And Rams can be hard-very hard to successfully breed and sometimes their parenting skills are lacking.
I don't know much about Keyholes having never kept them...
Also unless your experienced with temperamental and somewhat fragile fish and have mature tanks with no water problems, then Blue Rams may not be for you as they can be touchy.
However the Bolivian rams are much hardier and more tolerant of water conditions, but water conditions are still a major factor when keeping Bolivians. And Rams can be hard-very hard to successfully breed and sometimes their parenting skills are lacking.
I don't know much about Keyholes having never kept them...
I agree with chile on the blue rams, but my bolivian rams never hide. They are always front and center, poking around in the gravel and squaring off against each other (never violently)