Blue rams and keyhole cichlids...

[Jezah]

How many could I happily keep in a 29g. I WANT at least a breeding pair of each..if that isnt possible let me now nicely please. I am going to adding a catfish as well...dont know which one yet. What does everyone here suggest as a good catfish for a tank with blue rams and keyholes? I was thinking rapheal...but I would appreciate people with experience giving thir opinions.

 

[FoundMoney]

I have 30 gallon and one of my first fish was a bristlenose plec. He's a great fish. He eats lots of algae and although a bit timid he's not afraid to move around the tank during the day.

 

[aloaring]

In a 29 gallon you only want one pair of breeding keyholes. they are sold small in the shops but grow to a good 5 inches long and i wouldn't have the rams as once the keyholes start breeding they will get very defensive and try and beat up everything!!!
Raphael is a good catfish as long as you never mind not seeing them but if you plan to breed i wouldn't have them as they'll probably eat the eggs. What you should have is some dither fish in there though like neons !
i used to have a breeding pair of keyholes the main probelm with them is that they love the taste of their own eggs!!

 

[Jezah]

OH, how...ew. Lol. Are blue rams better parents? I had livebearers before so I have had enough of fish that are not intelligent enough to see a difference between food and children. If I just get blue rams can I get 2 pairs? I would think so as most place say 10g for one pair. Whats your experience. Also...wont a bristlenose plec get to big for a 29g...?

 

[FoundMoney]

As far as I know most species of ancistrus grow to about six inches. As long as you provide him with suitable hiding spots he will be ok in a 29 gallon. They are territorial though with their own species so I would only have one.

This seems to be a pretty informative site:

http/www.mongabay.com/fish/loricariidae.htm

 

[aloaring]

Two pairs of blue rams should be okay but in terms of hardiness i recommend the bolivian rams over the blues. Just put lots of caves and plants for them to hide in. Bristle nose should be fine as they don't grow too big. Some people find cichlids easy to breed i personally find them very hard to breed so prepare yourself for some dissapointments

 

[Seb R]

Yer, I agree, Rams make alot of mistakes at first (dunno about keyholes), but they are nice. Oh and I have seen massive keyholes , but gotta say they are nice. Just don't combine!!!