rams

[Blucat]

I would like to add rams when my tank is truly stable and established, in about a year probly.
What species is more suited to my tank?
This is my first tank 24g. It has gravel substrate and planning for lots of plants. however in summer temps can go up to a bare maximum of 85f.
currently there is 2 male dwarf gourami. 1 female betta and 1 white molly.

Which one could i get? Which is better? Can I get just 1 pair?
Blue Ram, http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/img/ram5.jpg
Gold Ram, http://www.theaquariumexchange.com/goldram1.jpg
Bolivian Ram http://www.gcca.net/fom/fom_pix/Microgeophagus_altispinosa.jpg
Long Fin Ram: http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Cichli800.jpg
German ram http://valentine.blogware.com/blog/Fish/_archives/2004/11/28/192721.html

I heard that bolivan rams are more hardy, are there any other rams i could consider?

Thanks fro any help in advance and i would also like to hear some personal experiences with rams

 

[jonnyb1425]

I think the look of the blue ram is the nicest, but the bolivian's are definitely a bit hardier.

 

[severum mama]

The gold, long finned, and German rams are all just variants of the blue ram, microgeophagus ramirezi. The Bolivian ram, microgeophagus altispinosa, is different species. I'm planning on getting a few blue rams for the tank I just set up at work (with established filter media), but I'm definitely not waiting a year! 8O They will be the last fish I add, probably in a couple months, but I'm not sure you need to be THAT careful with waiting a year. Of course, it certainly can't hurt. If you are worried about temperature swings in your tank you may want to choose the Bolivians. I have a couple and they are very hardy and entertaining, and they have tons of personality. I've got some pics of mine in my gallery if you want to see them- a lot of pics I've seen on the internet don't really do them justice.

BTW if the temps get too high in your tank in the summer, I've heard of people using a 20 oz. soda bottle to cool their tanks. Just grab a soda bottle, remove the label, fill with water, and freeze it. Then you can float it in your tank to slowly cool it down. Never had to try this myself though--- just a thought.

 

[DARK Jak]

i think severum mama is right the german ram is just a blue with more stripes.

 

[Blucat]

I think I will want to wait a year because i got some green algae water and i havn't got all my plants and stuff and i don't think my tank is stable. What is the diff between bolivian and blue rams, other than that they are hardier? Are blue rams prettier?

 

[mattrox]

In Australia Bolivian Rams are called Bolivian Butterflys. They are the same shape and slightly larger when fully grown. Their colour when fully grown is quite nice too.

 

[shannen]

Bolivians also get a little larger than the blue rams. IMO the German ram is way prettier.

No need to wait a yr tho. we need to look at what is causeing this green water. I've never had it in any of my tanks.

Something is off if you have green water. Do wait until you get this cleaned up before getting..smart move.

Is the tank in a room that gets sun? What are your water parameters?

The trick to keeping German rams is simple..Water changes. You have to be almost militank about doing 20 % weekly.

If you miss one they may up and die on ya.

 

[Blucat]

Well I think I will go with the bolivian rams. Even though they may not look great they are really hardy. A pair i think, as the only bottom dweller i would have is a pleco. Anyway my lfs stocks them.

here is a really nice picture, almost as good as other rams here!
http://www.plantedtank.net/fishprofiles/101/

 

[severum mama]

I think they look great! They've got really cute little faces, too. You'll love them, they have so much personality. Here's a pic of one of mine:

 

[Blucat]

that is really cute. great photo! i really really want one now!

 

[severum mama]

Yeah, they do that all the time, it's so cute! I have 2 now (used to have 4) and I think they are male and female. They didn't live in the same tank for a while because I think had 3 males and the one I thought was a female had to be moved because she was getting picked on- I originally tried to buy 2 females for my 2 males but I'm pretty sure I only got one female. Anyway, since I moved the female to my 29 gallon tank with the remaining male, they have both changed from kinda grayish to this really pretty rusty color. They act pretty weird too, like sometimes they nip at each other and act really aggressive, but other times they seem to peacefully follow each other around. Really interesting to watch, even though I don't know if I'll EVER see eggs!!!

 

[severum mama]

Oh, forgot to mention... the rams may not look like much in the LFS tanks, but they will color up nicely once you get them home and they get settled in to your tank. Good luck with them!