Blue ram cichild.

[saltwaterbeginners]

Planning to get two blue ram cichild. Any advise or tip to make them happy?

 

[gemach7]

These can be tricky to keep but are so worth it!

Make sure your tank is at least 24 inches in length, the more gallons the less likely for ph and ammonia swings. I use driftwood and live plants to soften and slightly lower the ph. They need plenty of hiding places to not feel stressed caves, plants, wood etc. a substrate that has no sharp edges, their natural habitat, orinoco river is sandy.

Make sure your tank is well cycled before adding german blue rams, small spikes in nitrite or ammonia that other fish will survive rams may not. (This step may take awhile depending on method)

Acclimate slowly, acclimating mine to my tank took nearly an hour. And keep the tank light off for the next day to help them with the stress.

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

These can be tricky to keep but are so worth it!

Make sure your tank is at least 24 inches in length, the more gallons the less likely for ph and ammonia swings. I use driftwood and live plants to soften and slightly lower the ph. They need plenty of hiding places to not feel stressed caves, plants, wood etc. a substrate that has no sharp edges, their natural habitat, orinoco river is sandy.

Make sure your tank is well cycled before adding german blue rams, small spikes in nitrite or ammonia that other fish will survive rams may not. (This step may take awhile depending on method)

Acclimate slowly, acclimating mine to my tank took nearly an hour. And keep the tank light off for the next day to help them with the stress.

Do I need all the crazy systems like canister filter and other stuff?

 

[gemach7]

Do I need all the crazy systems like canister filter and other stuff?

I use an hob and an air pump. I do frequent small water changes ie 5 % a day

 

[gemach7]

Also ask if the lfs if they are hormone injected, many fish stores will inject them to be more colourful as juveniles. Makes them far less hardy.

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

Also ask if the lfs if they are hormone injected, many fish stores will inject them to be more colourful as juveniles. Makes them far less hardy.

How about hardness of water? Ph levels? Do I use sand or gravel? Using gravel right now.

 

[gemach7]

How about hardness of water? Ph levels? Do I use sand or gravel? Using gravel right now.

Ph 5.5-7 (native waters are around 6.3-6.8) Kh less than 15

 

[gemach7]

As far as gravel or sand just make sure no sharp edges and dont use anything that will raise the ph.

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

As far as gravel or sand just make sure no sharp edges and dont use anything that will raise the ph.

What do you use? Can I see your tank?

 

[gemach7]

Not at home to take a pic of the full tank but had this one on my phone, i have a pea sized gravel in this corner to keep the plants in place the rest is play sand. c

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

Not at home to take a pic of the full tank but had this one on my phone, i have a pea sized gravel in this corner to keep the plants in place the rest is play sand. cView attachment 234338

I love your fish! Do you think it will be good idea to mix gravel with sand? What are the main stuff do I have to look for to keep German blue ram happy?

 

[gemach7]

I heard they breed more readily in sand, i have never bred them though to know if true.

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

I heard they breed more readily in sand, i have never bred them though to know if true.

Do you think it will be hard for me to keep German blue ram fish?

 

[gemach7]

They are not a beginner fish, if not able to do frequent water changes and regularly test their water they have been known to kick the bucket. But if you are able to put the time this pet needs into it, it is a worthwhile fish

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

They are not a beginner fish, if not able to do frequent water changes and regularly test their water they have been known to kick the bucket. But if you are able to put the time this pet needs into it, it is a worthwhile fish

What do I have to do to every week?

 

[gemach7]

There are easier south american cichlids ... bolivian ram also suitable for certain community tanks and hardier.



One of my female convict cichlids.
Great fish but would only suggest 1 male and female per 2 feet of tank.



Apistogramma nijsseni

Another dwarf cichlid

 

[gemach7]

I do mine more often but smaller instead of a weekly 20% i do a daily 5 %

 

[gemach7]

What do I have to do to every week?

First month i would cycle your tank and make sure it is stable. When ph and ammonia stop spiking day to day you may add fish

Weekly i do a api master test


And daily i do a 5% water change
And ammonia test.

Twice a week i vacuum the substate

Monthly i change my filter media.

 

[saltwaterbeginners]

First month i would cycle your tank and make sure it is stable. When ph and ammonia stop spiking day to day you may add fish

Weekly i do a api master test


And daily i do a 5% water change
And ammonia test.

Twice a week i vacuum the substate

Monthly i change my filter media.

For the master test, do you know all the perfect result for German blue ram cichlid?

 

[gemach7]

Unless your fish are wild caught you have a little range on ph and hardness.

Ammonia 0 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 ph 5-7

They are really sensitive to quick changes and nitrite