hi peeps! I was wondering if anyone has any info on ram cichlids. I would look it up on the internet, but ive decided to ask experienced fishkeepers for help and info. Links would be ok, too.
Spencerguy1
Spencerguy1
ram cichlids
- Thread starter spencerguy1
- Start date
What exactly do you need to know? Are you speaking of blues (M. ramirezi) or bolivians (M. altispinosus)?
Just rams in general. here are some basic things i need to know.
are they predatory?
if they are, what fish do they eat?
how aggressive are they to other fish?
how aggressive are they to other rams?
do they dig up plants?
are they easy to spawn?
are they predatory?
if they are, what fish do they eat?
how aggressive are they to other fish?
how aggressive are they to other rams?
do they dig up plants?
are they easy to spawn?
I have german blue rams in three tanks, i have two 20g's with a pAir in each, and a male in my 29g with angel fish, corys, pleco, platys, and bloodfin tetras. The 29g is planted and they dont bother the plants or other fish at all. They are easy to spawn if you have the proper set up and stuff. Once you get them started spawning they dont quit!
There are two species of "rams" each with slightly different requirements. Would be helpful to know which one you are considering so people are not confused as to what to answer...
Anyways, I've had blue rams. Yes, they are predatory so if you have something small like shrimp in the tank they will become snacks. Otherwise they just need to be fed a variety of foods. A good flake or pellet as a staple with some live foods (bloodworms, etc.) mixed in is best. Unless you have a larger tank a single pair is the way to go as any rams left out will be targeted. The best way to get a pair, other than buying a proven one, is to get 5-6 juveniles and let them pair up on their own. After that they are not hard to spawn. They may not be successful the first couple of times but they will get it down eventually. I found mine to be very plant friendly and don't do all that much digging anyways.
Bolivians are pretty much the same from what I've heard. They are supposed to be hardier and prefer cooler temps but the issue with blue rams is where they are imported from. Ones in most LFS are from Asia can be pumped up with hormones to look better but they often will arrive weak or sickly. Getting those from Europe (or even better a local breeder) will be better adapted. Most people think that all rams need soft water/low pH/low TDS when actually there are many reports of even the "sensitive" blue rams spawning in very hard water. Again, just get them from a good source and you'll be fine.
Anyways, I've had blue rams. Yes, they are predatory so if you have something small like shrimp in the tank they will become snacks. Otherwise they just need to be fed a variety of foods. A good flake or pellet as a staple with some live foods (bloodworms, etc.) mixed in is best. Unless you have a larger tank a single pair is the way to go as any rams left out will be targeted. The best way to get a pair, other than buying a proven one, is to get 5-6 juveniles and let them pair up on their own. After that they are not hard to spawn. They may not be successful the first couple of times but they will get it down eventually. I found mine to be very plant friendly and don't do all that much digging anyways.
Bolivians are pretty much the same from what I've heard. They are supposed to be hardier and prefer cooler temps but the issue with blue rams is where they are imported from. Ones in most LFS are from Asia can be pumped up with hormones to look better but they often will arrive weak or sickly. Getting those from Europe (or even better a local breeder) will be better adapted. Most people think that all rams need soft water/low pH/low TDS when actually there are many reports of even the "sensitive" blue rams spawning in very hard water. Again, just get them from a good source and you'll be fine.
thanks for the info. But i have some questions-
are german blue rams from germany? i know they probably arent, but where do they come from? Why the name german?
What "proper stuff" do they need for spawning?
Spencerguy1
erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv:erv: