bolivian rams?

[zenkatydid]

I am still (still!) in the planning stages of my 48g tank, and so far have 3 upside down cats, 1 bristlenose cat, and 3 loaches (not sure which one yet... long story).

I was thinking of getting a couple of bolivian rams. I'm not mad about the idea of them breeding, only because apparently they get territorial. If I get a male and a female, will they definitely breed? Could I get two males, or would I have to get two females?

I am still looking for other small-medium fish for the mid-surface areas - what goes with the rams?

 

[severum mama]

I have owned 4 Bolivian rams, and I currently own 2. I love these fish and I would highly recommend them to you. As far as males and females go, good luck trying to sex them. I thought I had a male and female, but they don't seem to like each other very well, and they spend a lot of time chasing each other away from their territories. They have each claimed half of my 29 gallon tank. They are territorial, but don't do any real damage to each other. Mine pay no attention to any tankmates. Tetras do very well with them, and you could easily keep a school in a tank that size, although I'm not sure how big upside down cats will get so I don't know if that will be pushing the limits as far as stocking. If you have room, you can choose lots of different kinds, like neons, cardinals, pristellas, glowlights, serpaes, etc. Good luck!

 

[cinciboy]

Highly recommend them.. I have one now.. But is needs to be watched atleast for the first three months after being added to the tank...

 

[zenkatydid]

why does it need to be watched for three months?

 

[Jchillin]

Bolivian Rams and members of this genus are considered to be extremely fragile when it comes to water parameters and other outside complications. Though the bolivian Ram is considered hardier than it's cousin, the German Blue Ram, they still warrant special attention.

 

[severum mama]

I've never had any trouble with mine either during acclimation or otherwise. I've found them to be very hardy fish, and the 2 that I had that died, did so from old age. Of course, you should still provide the best conditions you can for them, but they are nowhere near as fragile as the German Blues, IME. They are very interesting and a fun fish to keep.

I forgot to mention... they will appreciate a planted tank (either real or fake) with caves or other places to hide.

 

[zenkatydid]

well, it looks like they're definitely on the list

this interest in them started when i saw them at my (very small) lfs, except the owner had no idea what they were - just said "butterfly" (her english is not so good, but she has a good heart). by pictures, i'm guessing they're bolivian and not blue, which seem to look quite similar. plus, i doubt they would be able to keep a sensitive fish like the blue alive for long - they have problems a lot of the time.

by the time i get my tank set up, those individuals probably won't be there, but i'm sure some better specialist shops will have them.

i'm excited! my tank is coming closer to being fully planned!

 

[severum mama]

Butterfly cichlid is another name for the German Blue Ram. I believe it comes from one of their scientific names- papillochromis ramirezi (they are also known as mikrogeophagus/microgeophagus ramirezi).

Bolivian rams are also known as Crown Ruby cichlids and their scientific name is mikrogeophagus altispinosa. I haven't found that the Blues and Bolivians look very similar, as the Blues are more colorful and the Bolivians are bigger. Here's some pics of mine, do the ones at your LFS look like this?

 

[zenkatydid]

yep, that's the one. it's the huge eyes that got me

 

[tailbarlionfish]

bolivian rams, in my oppinion, don't need to be looked after that carefully. They are pretty hardy in my tank anyway...

 

[zenkatydid]

thanks guys

if i start with 2 and see how they go - is it easy enough to add another 2 later? or would the old ones fight with the new ones?

 

[rich311k]

They will work out a pecking order, no matter how you do it. I would add all 4 at once. That is how I do it with angels.