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GobyGirl asked in PetsFish · 8 years ago

Stocking, water parameters and tank mate questions!!!?

I have 4 tanks. One is a 55gal with 3 parrot fish, 6 yoyo loaches, 6 glow tetras and a bristlenose pleco.

The 39gal hex has 3 angelfish, 5 Cory cats and a Bolivian ram.

Then I have a 10gal that I breed pink and blue ramshorn snails and shrimp in.

The last tank is a 30gal long. German rams are my favorite fish and I'm going to use that tank to try to breed them. The tank has been established for about a year and a half, and has alot of live plants and driftwood. I should be getting the 8 I ordered within the next couple days. The only thing in the tank right now is a bristlenose pleco and a mystery snail.

Does anyone have any advice on how to breed them? Also any tips for keeping their tank requirements how they are needed, I had 4 before and none lasted more than 2 months. I bought a new thermometer to keep the temp at 84 degrees and have been using spring water for the last 6 water changes to decrease the hardness of my water.

I know that 8 is alot for a 30gal so after they mature and pair up is there any other tanks they could be in without getting killed and stressed?

And last question, should I have a small school of dither fish with them to keep them more comfortable? I was thinking about neon tetras or guppies.

Thanks!

1 Answer

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I ama professional ichthyologist, but know when to refer you the highest authority. Read Keeping and Breeding the Bolivian Ram Website by Cichlidae.com. and the American Cichlid Association and Breeding Mikrogeophaghus altispinosa by the Cichlid Forum. And yes, dither fish definitely don't stop Rams from breeding.

    The water parameters right before breeding are important. Keep the gH at 3, kH at 2, pH close to 7.4, and do a 40% water change where you drop the tank temperature from 80 to 78 to simulate the spring rain.

    Your tank is a bit large for 8. ACA recommends 4 in a 50. Foruinately Rams are good community fish and you have plenty of room for the extras in your 55.

    Source(s): Robert Price, Phd, Ichthyology, Board Member Brooklyn Aquarium Society Cichlidae.com Cichlid Forum American Cichlid Association
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