Bolivian Ram-Beginner or Expert?

[MadTurtle]

So I have a 40 gallon breeder that is cycled and has 6 red eye tetras currently( I plan on adding 8 more) with a sand substrate, some dragon stone, two pieces of driftwood, and some small plastic plants. My stocking plans are as follows
14 red eye tetras
6 corydoras
1 Bristlenose pleco
Bolivian Rams??
I have seen information that BR’s are extremely hard to keep, and others say they are easy. Also how many is a good number to get as I hear they are happier with a few of there own kind.
I do weekly water changes of about 25% and am running an aquaclear 50 with sponge, filter floss, supplied media along with some seachem matrix .

 

[Brookster123]

Bolivians are far more forgiving than their German cousins. They're not "easy" but they'll do jutlwt fine in a clean, well cycled tank with frequent wcs.

 

[charliebankston]

I'd plan on a pair. Since as juveniles they are often hard to sex. And if you get 2 m and 1 f for example, they'll bully her to death trying to mate. They're peaceful cichlids. Which means they're like po'd tetras all the time, lol