German blue ram 50g tank mate ideas

[TabiLove]

Hi everyone! I'm planning on starting my first tank within the next couple of weeks. Hopefully a 50 gallon. I've been doing research for weeks, and I think I've finally decided I want to get a couple of German blue rams. But I can't decided what to put in there with them, and I've found a lot of varied information. I know they need to be in an established tank as well, so I'll probably get them last.
I really want some eye catching fish and/or creatures, and I plan on keeping live plants.
So basically I'm wondering if any of you have personal experience with the rams, and what mates have worked well, and quantities of fish that would go well in that size tank.


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[Chronos313]

You could go with any sort of tetra, or rasbora, danio, and with having live plants they'll also help keep your nitrate level in check as they naturally absorb nitrates. Your options are endless, especially if you look into schooling fish


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[bettaowner]

Corydoras, hatchetfish, and some cardinal tetras would look nice.

 

[PNWaquarist]

You could go with any sort of tetra, or rasbora, danio, and with having live plants they'll also help keep your nitrate level in check as they naturally absorb nitrates. Your options are endless, especially if you look into schooling fish


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Not really any sort. GBRs need a minimum of 80 F, with 82-84 being optimal. That rules out many species.

Cardinals work well, as do Rummys. Sterbai Cory is one of the few that will tolerate low 80s. Hatchets will tolerate those temps as well.


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[lakerfan824]

What about bloodfin or bleeding heart tetra? I'm planning on doing a similar setup in the future, and was hoping to add a school of one (or maybe both) of those. I'm getting a range of 72-78 F for the bleeding heart, and 72-82 for the bloodfin


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[PNWaquarist]

Bloodfins may work in the low 80s, but I don't know about Bleeding Hearts.

People who keep discus in the mid-80s routinely keep Cardinals and Rummys. Those and Marbled Hatchets are probably most compatible in terms of water parameters with GBRs.


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[TabiLove]

I like the hatchets, those were actually one of my top picks, and Cory's, I really wanted pandas but I think they need cooler water. I don't care for cardinals, but maybe some rummy's.

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[lakerfan824]

Darn I really like the bleeding hearts. Oh well time for another tank I guess...


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[PNWaquarist]

Darn I really like the bleeding hearts. Oh well time for another tank I guess...

Actually, I may be wrong about that...

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma – Bleeding Heart Tetra (Hemigrammus erythrostigma, Hyphessobrycon rubrostigma) — Seriously Fish

Hyphessobrycon erythrostigma - The Free Freshwater and Saltwater Aquarium Encyclopedia Anyone Can Edit - The Aquarium Wiki

 

[lakerfan824]

Yeah I've also found a few different sources stating different temps.


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