Community Tank--German Blue Rams, Guppies, and Tetras

[AshHeart101]

Hello!

I'm a new fish owner and have a few questions about a 10 gallon tank I'm setting up.
Just recently, my friend got me into fish and I bought the 10 gallon after an accidental purchase via Aquabid; the end result was that in about a week or two, I'm going to be the owner of 3 German Blue Rams. I'm having the tank cycle with my filter, a heater is arriving soon, I have some java moss floating about with sand, two pieces of driftwood (they came soaked, so I don't know if they're much benefit) and I'm getting some anubias and java fern. I'm using spring water for the tank because my tap is terrible and I'm not taking any chances with it (and I know German Blues like more acidic water). Being new, I'm trying not to be too hopeful with the life expectancy of my German Blues, because I know as a new owner I'm bound to make mistakes or not know some things that I should've. My friend and I are trying to get as much research as we can and I'll be honest--I want to get my money's worth from the tank. I wouldn't want to put any fish in danger, however, so I'm trying to find some fish that would be well with my German Blues. I've read that guppies and tetras are potential tank mates, but I don't want to overcrowd my tank and stress my fish.
So here's my question: would it be too crowded to include tetras AND guppies with my German Blues? If so, would just one kind be acceptable? Which do you suggest? Particularly, I'm hoping to add cobra guppies and x-ray tetras. I'm aware that too much too soon would probably kill my fish, so I'm being mindful that slower is better, so everyone can adapt and be happy.
As a side note, would loaches be something of contemplation (with or without guppies, tetras, or both)?
I appreciate the help!

Ash

 

[Fishanatic]

If you already have the 3 of them you stated in the previous post, I would re-home at least one, because for a pair, the bare minimum would be 20, 29 would be better. I wouldn't add any other fish to the 10 gallon either, the ram's might already ''overstock'' the tank.

 

[Taiken5968]

Hey man I'm fairly new to fish my self. I have keeping them less than a year. I don't know much about rams. I can tell you that a 10 gallon will get over stocked quickly. Try to research the bio load of the rams. Then you will know more about how many other fish you can add. A lot o people will say that you can add one inch per gallon, but that isn't always true. Always checkout the max size of a fish that you want, and how big of a tank it needs. You can sometimes add more than the one inch per gallon rule if you have fish that are not too aggressive and you have a good filter I would recommend kulih loaches, but I don't know is they are ok in a 10 gallon. I hope it helps, and good luck.

 

[Fishanatic]

Hey man I'm fairly new to fish my self. I have keeping them less than a year. I don't know much about rams. I can tell you that a 10 gallon will get over stocked quickly. Try to research the bio load of the rams. Then you will know more about how many other fish you can add. A lot o people will say that you can add one inch per gallon, but that isn't always true. Always checkout the max size of a fish that you want, and how big of a tank it needs. You can sometimes add more than the one inch per gallon rule if you have fish that are not too aggressive and you have a good filter I would recommend kulih loaches, but I don't know is they are ok in a 10 gallon. I hope it helps, and good luck.

I would certainly not add a Kuhli loach to a 10 gallon, especially with 3 gbr's in it as they would need a minimum of 20 gallon, and 30 gallons is a lot better

 

[Taiken5968]

I would certainly not add a Kuhli loach to a 10 gallon, especially with 3 gbr's in it as they would need a minimum of 20 gallon, and 30 gallons is a lot better

I thought they would need a little bigger. I have them in my 29 gal.

 

[Fishanatic]

I thought they would need a little bigger. I have them in my 29 gal.

40 gallons would be ideal. But for the 20 gallon, it's a bare minimum requirement, but more space is always better for them

 

[AshHeart101]

Unfortunately, I do not have the leisure of returning the Rams or stopping the shipment, so I guess I'll leave the Rams in the 10 gallon. I'm hoping with a lot of water changes that they'll keep well, and I'm hoping for the best. I can probably re-home one of them, but her tank isn't much of a benefit. Thank you all for the information. I had been told by various sources that a pair could live within a 10 gallon, but maybe this information is faulty.

 

[Fishanatic]

Unfortunately, I do not have the leisure of returning the Rams or stopping the shipment, so I guess I'll leave the Rams in the 10 gallon. I'm hoping with a lot of water changes that they'll keep well, and I'm hoping for the best. I can probably re-home one of them, but her tank isn't much of a benefit. Thank you all for the information. I had been told by various sources that a pair could live within a 10 gallon, but maybe this information is faulty.

Well, if it's male female, they might breed depending on the conditions, witch might lead to them being territorial and aggressive. But still, I am no ram specialist, I couldn't say. Sorry for such late news.

 

[Sillyfishies]

Unfortunately, I do not have the leisure of returning the Rams or stopping the shipment, so I guess I'll leave the Rams in the 10 gallon. I'm hoping with a lot of water changes that they'll keep well, and I'm hoping for the best. I can probably re-home one of them, but her tank isn't much of a benefit. Thank you all for the information. I had been told by various sources that a pair could live within a 10 gallon, but maybe this information is faulty.

Bioload isn't a problem. I have 3 in a 30 gallon tank and its hard to stop them from killing eachother.

 

[AaronW]

It's worth a try my friend. But remember that isn't likely that they will all survive. Make sure to research before you buy a fish.

I have 3 rams in a densely planted tank and i still have some issues with territory disputes.

Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.