20 Gallon Ram Cichlid?

[Diamonte]

I starting my 20 gallon tank back put and this time I'm going for some color fish. I really want to keep a pair OR one ram cichlid. But on top of that could I keep a betta, and dwarf gourami with the ram? Please help which stocking is ok. 20 Gallon Tall Planted Plenty of Hiding Spaces For Everyone

Pair (male and female)Ram Cichlids
1 male betta
1 gourami
3 bottom feeders

Or

Pair or 1 Ram Cichlid
Male Betta or Dwarf Gourami
3 bottom feeders
6 schooling fish

 

[ImACoolguy]

Personally I'd leave out the Betta. You never know how they are going to react.

My guess a Betta in the same tank as a pair of Rams trying to spawn won't end well for the Betta as bettas are territorial as well.


Caleb

 

[sinibotia]

What bottom feeders do you plan on? Most of the best ones for a 20 gallon are best in schools of 5.

 

[Diamonte]

For bottom dwellers I was thinking of Cory Catfish.... Any other suggestion for that?

Maybe a Fiddler Crab?

 

[sinibotia]

You could also do kuhli loaches, but those two are your best options.

 

[ImACoolguy]

Most corydora will work.

I believe fiddler crabs are brackish? Someone feel free to correct me.


Caleb

 

[TheresaM]

The betta and gourami option is a no.

I have a single ram with a female betta in my 16g, along with some other fish. No issues.

In a 20 high I'd go with a group of kuhlis or one of the small cories, pygmaeus or habrosus.

 

[fish wrangler]

I've heard of rams stressing cory cats to death when the rams are guarding eggs. Corys wouldn't leave the rams alone?

 

[TheresaM]

I personally wouldn't do a pair of rams in a community type setting but in general cories won't bother them.

 

[Pseudomugil]

You could do 5 or 6 cories (they need at least that many) and leave out the betta.

No fiddler crab they need brackish water and access to dry land.