I plan on setting up my first ever tank in a few months and I want to do a Species tank with Bolivian rams since I've read and been told they Are one of the better Cichlid species for beginners and I love the look of them. The problem is most of the time what I read has them in a planted aquarium and I've been told to not do a planted tank since I will be doing my first tank. If plants are necessary what plants would do well to simulate their normal habitat that would be easy for a beginner.
Is a planted aquarium necessary for Bolivian rams?
- Thread starter JoBroCo
- Start date
Well that person was wrong, a planted tank is not difficult as all. Of course you can make it as complicated as you like...
Start with easy slow growing plants such as Java fern, Anubias and Cryptocoryne wendti and some fast growing plants as guppy grass and Brazilian pennyworth. Do not use sand or coarse gravel but fine gravel ±2mm diameter.
Start with easy slow growing plants such as Java fern, Anubias and Cryptocoryne wendti and some fast growing plants as guppy grass and Brazilian pennyworth. Do not use sand or coarse gravel but fine gravel ±2mm diameter.
Welcome to AC
You don't have to have plants but like tl said there are easy 1s anyone can grow. I would skip the fast growers for now.
What size tank will you get? A 20g long is a nice size
You don't have to have plants but like tl said there are easy 1s anyone can grow. I would skip the fast growers for now.
What size tank will you get? A 20g long is a nice size
I will most likely be getting a 30g long but if there is a 50-55g at a good price I will most likely get that.
Excellent! Most people start with a small tank & they're harder to keep in some ways. If you're buying new, Petco often has $1/gal tank sales up to 55g. 4ft tanks are nice, 75g are my fav but I have a couple 55g because they're cheaper.
Be sure to read about how to cycle BEFORE you get fish. There's a sticky at the top of this forum. I strongly recommend doing a "fishless" cycle.
You can also do coarse sand or very small gravel, cichlids often like to mouth it. Back to plants, java fern & anubias are not planted but attached to wood or rocks. Several types of each are available, they don't need fertilizers.
Are you thinking of a male & female pair of Bolivians? What other fish are on you "wish list"?
Be sure to read about how to cycle BEFORE you get fish. There's a sticky at the top of this forum. I strongly recommend doing a "fishless" cycle.
You can also do coarse sand or very small gravel, cichlids often like to mouth it. Back to plants, java fern & anubias are not planted but attached to wood or rocks. Several types of each are available, they don't need fertilizers.
Are you thinking of a male & female pair of Bolivians? What other fish are on you "wish list"?
As of right now Just them and yes I would most likely will be getting a pair . I'm still doing research on other fish but so for the Bumble Bee Cichlid has caught my interest because my mother is obsessed with bees but I've read they would need be by themselves in a 50 gallon tank since they get big. I read that sticky earlier this morning and plan on doing a fishless cycle. While I only just had the thought to get a tank and take care of fish as of two days ago I dont want to rush in and possibly kill fish by mistakes That coulda been avoided.
NoodleCats
AC Members
You could skip plants (or just get floating plants like frogbit or water lettuce)
And look into setting up a Amazon blackwater biotope for the rams.
With Bolivians best bet is to try to choose a bonded pair, as sometimes they wont pair up when you buy them despite being male and female. So observe them for awhile and see if there are any in the tank that stick together or buy from someone who is knowledgeable on Bolivians
And look into setting up a Amazon blackwater biotope for the rams.
With Bolivians best bet is to try to choose a bonded pair, as sometimes they wont pair up when you buy them despite being male and female. So observe them for awhile and see if there are any in the tank that stick together or buy from someone who is knowledgeable on Bolivians
NoodleCats
AC Members
Hatchetfish, dwarf pencilfish, neon tetras, black neon tetras.
Id avoid cories as they lack the personal space notion and will stress the rams should they spawn.
You might be able to get away with a clown pleco or bristlenose pleco (need driftwood for these)
Id avoid cories as they lack the personal space notion and will stress the rams should they spawn.
You might be able to get away with a clown pleco or bristlenose pleco (need driftwood for these)