Stephen Zawacki Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 Hey guys I’m really considering dipping my toes and getting a pair of Bolivian rams, I am not really familiar with them so want to get all the knowledge I can get. First what tank size do they need for just a pair and that is it would a 20 gallon work. Also is there any quirks about them I should know before I get them soon. thank you, stephen 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwayne Brown Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 @Stephen ZawackiI have a few Bolivian Ram's and they are absolutely wonderful fish. I think a 20 gallon would be a little on the small side but you could make it work. Something to know is that it is almost impossible to tell the sexes apart. Other than that they are peaceful community fish that have a lot of wonderful personality and behaviors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 What tank size do you recommend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountaintoppufferkeeper Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 (edited) On 10/20/2021 at 2:48 PM, Stephen Zawacki said: Hey guys I’m really considering dipping my toes and getting a pair of Bolivian rams, I am not really familiar with them so want to get all the knowledge I can get. First what tank size do they need for just a pair and that is it would a 20 gallon work. Also is there any quirks about them I should know before I get them soon. thank you, stephen I have used down to an 18x12x9 for a pair. Bigger is better and I would do some sight breaks with plants coconut huts etc. I kept my group of 6 in a 25 ish until the pair formed and spawned on the back side of a coconut hut. The harder part was getting a pair; it would be tough to get a bonded pair from 2 fish. The linked thread has how the male and female have different shaped tubes when conditioned. In my group the females is square while the male is more pointed back : https://forum.aquariumcoop.com/topic/13370-best-ways-to-breed-bolivian-rams/ Edited October 21, 2021 by mountaintoppufferkeeper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I’d do a 20 gal long at a minimum. It should have a sand substrate they are essentially small eartheaters (think geophagus). Usually you’ll need 5 juveniles and then let them choose their partners. Lots of wood, plant cover including floaters, some rocks as they usually clean a rock to spawn. A little flow is good a lot would stress them out. Super enjoyable fish, some of the first and favorite cichlids I kept as a more serious hobbyist in my 30s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 (edited) Hey guys I decided by tank size that the Bolivian rams I could not do. But I have gotten a pair of German blue rams instead I want to do a species only tank. I have a 16 gallon uns all in one tank currently empty I was told by my local fish store that is a great size, but want to ask your opinion. I also have the 14 gallon fluval flora kit would that work also. Also what is the min tank size to keep them the best possible for life, because I’ve heard that is 10 gallons but I’m not sure thx Stephen Edited October 21, 2021 by Stephen Zawacki 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I edited the title and merged these threads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I would go with a 29 gallon or bigger Bolivian rams are one of the more peaceful dawrf cichlids but bigger is always better when it come to Cichlids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 I don't have Bolivian rams, I said I have a pair of German blue rams, and was wondering if it is a species only tank is 16 gallons good to keep them happy and healthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 It says Bolivian rams in your first post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 I know after I found out about the tank size I got a pair of German blue rams instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I think a 20 gallon would be ok for a pair of blue rams long term Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 I read in the aquaroum co op article that they said species only and a pair could do a ten is that true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 I have never used a 10 gallon so maybe some one else can chip in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Ok no worries I just saw that jn their article and that is why I am asking 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 Let’s check-in with @Fish Folk on this fish topic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 Awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 21, 2021 Author Share Posted October 21, 2021 https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/ram-cichlid-care-guide Here is the article talking about the ten gallon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockEwe49 Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 I'd also like to know what tank they can be kept in, also @Beardedbillygoat1975 what would happen if they are not kept on a sand substrate? Does the gravel scratch them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Folk Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 You can breed Mikrogeophagus ramirezi successfully in a 10 gallon aquarium. However, to grant them a full and satisfying life, I would recommend a 20 gallon long. I suppose a species-only 16 gallon tank could work. I have found that mine appreciate regular water changes, quality foods, planted tank, and warm temperatures - above 80-degrees Fahrenheit. One of the more exciting projects we did was breed a bunch, and populate a 55 gallon Ram Colony. My son and I made this video a few years ago... One of the most satisfying projects with Rams we did was cross Electric Blue Rams with Golden Rams, and work through a couple generations until we got some spectacular Orange / Blue color forms. Here was the first installment in that video series... By the end, we had a "Gold Rush" growing out in a 20 gallon tall... To appreciate these in a larger community context, you can check out this video where a few of the Gold Rams were added to a larger Discus + Threadfin Acara Tank... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardedbillygoat1975 Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 @StockEwe49For Bolivian Rams - You’d miss their natural behavior of sifting sand. They are small earth eaters aka sand sifters - literally their scientific name is Mikrogeophagus (altispinosus).@Stephen ZawackiA proven breeding pair of GBRs could do a 10 g. I’ve seen many breeders using 10s but as @Colustated to minimize aggression a 20 g would be better - 20 high or long. The majority of their time is spent in the mid to lower portions of the tank. I think the UNS 16 g or Flora 14 g both at around 15”x15”x15” will be a tough footprint for cichlids. Not a lot of room for them to hide from each other if there’s aggression. If you buy a proven breeding pair you may be able to make it work. An unproven pair you’ll need to have a spare tank ready if they don’t like each other. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewbie Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 While german blue rams share the name 'ram' with bolivian ram; they are a far more fragile species. They should be kept in very soft warm (82ish) water. They require the water be kept clean and are very sensitive to sudden temperature change so the new water needs to be warmed to tank temp before adding. They are not a great fish for beginners. Bolivian rams on the other hand can take a bit of abuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted October 22, 2021 Share Posted October 22, 2021 Like @Beardedbillygoat1975pointed out a 15” cube might not be the ideal footprint for these fish. I have a 14” cube and would love to get a pair of GBRs in there but my gut tells me it’s not going to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Zawacki Posted October 22, 2021 Author Share Posted October 22, 2021 (edited) Thank you guys for all the incite, now I do have one question would the waterbox 20 gallon cube work, because it has deep swimming room along with sides. Or there is a Ada 20 long tank that I have been looking at. I also do have a proven pair I paid a little extra money for them Edited October 22, 2021 by Stephen Zawacki 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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