Bolivian Ram Question

[benya]

Hi, sorry about the long post but I recently moved one of my bolivian rams out of my community tank into a holding tank sort of as a time out because he was being overly aggressive to my other bolivian ram. If anyone has prior experience with this, how long should i keep my bolivian ram in time out to curb his aggression?

 

[itiwhetu]

I don't think he will learn from being in isolation. Put him back with the other one and just make sure there are distinct areas and boundaries for each fish to hang out in. They will sort themselves out pretty quickly.

 

[benya]

I failed to mention that i introduced a new bolivian ram to my tank and that is when my original GBR started being aggressive. There are many spots for both fish to be comfortable in their own territory, I even rearranged the tank. However, my old GBR seemingly makes it a point to antagonize my new GBR.

 

[HoldenOn]

You need to re arrange the decor completely with all the rams out of the tank. You also need a HUGE tank for more than a pair of dwarf cichlids (male/female). How many do you have and what size tank is it?

 

[benya]

I have 3 (one larger and 2 small, but all still juvenile) in a 29 gallon tank right now. I also have a 55 gallon community which they will go into when they grow. They’re my favorite fish and they’re in my tank in my room and while they’re still very small I’m hoping to find a way to make them get along lol.

 

[itiwhetu]

So why not put the bossy one over into the bigger tank. And leave the other two where they are.

 

[Essjay]

Rams are territorial fish and if you have more than one male, each will object to sharing 'his' space with another cichlid.
Rams of both species also need to choose their own mates, so even buying any male and any female does not mean they'll get on.

 

[Gypsum]

My prior experience involved rehoming one of the rams. I had two, one definitely male, the other too much of a juvenile to sex but probably male, and the older one bullied the younger one until it would sit in the corner of the tank, not eating. I wrote a post here, and Byron told me that the ram will claim the whole tank as its territory. Once you take the fish out of solitary, it will probably resume the aggressive behaviour.

 

[HoldenOn]

My prior experience involved rehoming one of the rams. I had two, one definitely male, the other too much of a juvenile to sex but probably male, and the older one bullied the younger one until it would sit in the corner of the tank, not eating. I wrote a post here, and Byron told me that the ram will claim the whole tank as its territory. Once you take the fish out of solitary, it will probably resume the aggressive behaviour.

Exactly. For more than 1 male you need a 10 foot long tank with large divisions and sight breaks. These are super territorial fish.