GBR Questions

[bcarl_10gal]

I've had GBRs since August. I have noticed they have not grown to much since I got them. I would like to make sure they have reached the appropriate size and possibly try to breed them. I feed them a mix of the tetra flakes and freeze dried blood worms. I have some pictures of the females and the other which im not sure the sex. I tried to grab a few pictures for size comparisons but they are both about the same size and maybe an inch long. My adult cherry barbs are a bit longer and for sure fatter. I'd say the rams are about a inch. Is this the appropriate size? What is the sex of the other ram? Any tips for breeding?

 

[PNWaquarist]

Yours seem rather dark in color. Were they always like that? They should eventually be larger, like 2-3". What about your tank size, water parameters, water change schedule?

Freeze-dried bloodworms a couple of times a week is good. Make sure that you are soaking them in water for a few minutes prior to feeding, as freeze-dried foods can swell inside their stomachs. I'd go with a better flake or pellet food. I feed New Life Spectrum Optimum Community Flakes daily and supplement with New Life Spectrum Thera-A 1 mm sinking pellets. I also give them a fasting day, as GBRs are subject to over-eating.

 

[Brookster123]

Looks like you may have 2 females there. Food is bug with these guys too. I feed primarily frozen food, brine shrimp, cyclops and blood worms. Some cobalt flake and omega one super flake.. one inch is pretty small..it's a bit concerning that they have not grown in the 4-5 months you've had them.

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[bcarl_10gal]

Water params are ph:6.7 kh: 5 gh:6-7 nitrates 10-20. 26 gallon tank. I didnt know about the freeze dried food could expand ill start to soak it. Will frozen foods be better?


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[bcarl_10gal]

Heres a picture of the female a week or so after i got them (this picture was in September)


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[Brookster123]

Frozen is always better. I really like the new super brine, infused with spirulina... bloodworms once a week, flake once or twice a week. Frozen peas every so often. . What temp you at?

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[bcarl_10gal]

About 77 deg.


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[Brookster123]

About 77 deg.


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Too cold, they like 80 min.. makes a big difference w rams.. i keep my ram tank at 81, plants don't mind.

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[bcarl_10gal]

Okay, ill crank it up. Would that slow their growth though?


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[Brookster123]

Absolutely, coupled with inadequate diet. No offense, just trying to help

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[PNWaquarist]

Yep, I keep my rams at 80 F, and that's about the lowest I'm comfortable going. Their immune systems have difficulty below that. 82-84 is supposedly optimal. You'll also want to keep those nitrates closer to 10 ppm than 20 ppm.

 

[bcarl_10gal]

Got the tank up to 82. Will be going by LFS tomorrow most likely, may trade the ram in question for a male and pick up some frozen foods. We shall see.

 

[Brookster123]

Careful on the temp, not all your other fish will appreciate higher than 80-81.. i know it sounds like splitting hairs..

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[bcarl_10gal]

I have cherry barbs, rummy nose tetras, bn pleco, sae's and oto's. Any I should be concerned about?

 

[emerald76]

Pleco... My tank is at 83 for my rams which my cories and guppies don't love but they will live- it's a lot cooler near the bottom anyway, around 80. I've had major issues below 80. Lost a male yesterday to huge wounds that would not heal- I thought temp was too low.
Edit- maybe barbs also


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[shark21]

I've had GBRs since August. I have noticed they have not grown to much since I got them. I would like to make sure they have reached the appropriate size and possibly try to breed them. I feed them a mix of the tetra flakes and freeze dried blood worms. I have some pictures of the females and the other which im not sure the sex. I tried to grab a few pictures for size comparisons but they are both about the same size and maybe an inch long. My adult cherry barbs are a bit longer and for sure fatter. I'd say the rams are about a inch. Is this the appropriate size? What is the sex of the other ram? Any tips for breeding?

Unfortunately Looks like you have Bolivian Rams not GBRs...there is a difference in the two; Bolivian rams are def. not as colorful as GBRs and have a different look to them. I have a pair of Bolivian Rams as well...I love mine and they love the warm temps ...my tank is 82 deg.

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[Brookster123]

Unfortunately Looks like you have Bolivian Rams not GBRs...there is a difference in the two; Bolivian rams are def. not as colorful as GBRs and have a different look to them. I have a pair of Bolivian Rams as well...I love mine and they love the warm temps ...my tank is 82 deg.

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Nope, def. Not bolivians. . If anything.. closer to a wc strain...

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[shark21]

I disagree looks like text book Bolivians....wc strain?

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[shark21]

I could be wrong?? Good looking fish anyways!

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[Brookster123]

I disagree looks like text book Bolivians....wc strain?

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You're 110% wrong, it's ok bolivians do not have pink bellies. wc or wild caught rams will have less in your face coloration..

I could be wrong?? Good looking fish anyways!

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