Bolivian Rams

[Shaman]

Hi

My tank has been fully cycled now for around 6 weeks (took 6 weeks to fish-in cycle).

Nitrates and Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 20ppm (though weekly water change not due until tomorrow).

The pH however due to the extremely soft local water is 6.8

I've read on other forums that they prefer around 7.8, so would this be a problem.

Also, i've a relatively light substrate, whites and greys around 2-4mm in size. Would this be a problem? I'm thinking of (on the water change tomorrow) removing the fish from the tank and adding some darker gravel on top of the existing gravel to help bring the colours out a bit more.

Cheers

Shaman Dan

 

[Jamepsss]

Hi

My tank has been fully cycled now for around 6 weeks (took 6 weeks to fish-in cycle).

Nitrates and Ammonia = 0ppm
Nitrite = 20ppm (though weekly water change not due until tomorrow).

The pH however due to the extremely soft local water is 6.8

I've read on other forums that they prefer around 7.8, so would this be a problem.

Also, i've a relatively light substrate, whites and greys around 2-4mm in size. Would this be a problem? I'm thinking of (on the water change tomorrow) removing the fish from the tank and adding some darker gravel on top of the existing gravel to help bring the colours out a bit more.

Cheers

Shaman Dan

I think you've got your nitrates and nitites mixed up there but those stats look fine. I think the Bolivian's would be fine in that ph and the gravel won't cause any issues either.

Darker gravel probably would bring out the colours more but Bolivian Rams are one of those fish that look great regardless of what's around it.

What size is your tank by the way?

Edit - Just seen you sig.

 

[markandhisfish]

i dont see that ph being a problem at all. as for substrate its personal choice. light coloured fish like bolivan rams will certainly stand out better on a dark substarte but will be equally happy on what you have

 

[karin]

My bolivians stand out better on lighter/natural color sand than black. Just to throw that in the pot.

 

[meguro]

pH 6.8 will be fine. i would even say its preferable over pH 7.8 with these fish.

as for substrate, if you were to change it, i would change it to sand so that they can sift through it. these fish are earth-eaters after all. perhaps add some leaf litter, wood or rocks if you want some contrasting darker objects on the bottom

 

[Shaman]

Cheers for the advice.

Popped into my lfs yesterday, they said they rarely get bolivians in! They don't sell that well. They are getting some GBRs next week, £17 a pop.

I'm going to change the substrate to sand.

Cheers

Shaman Dan

 

[JoshuaA]

OMG! £17!!

What the hell, do they come in a golden plastic bag? I thought my LFS selling GBRs for £4.95 a pop was expensive.

I wouldn't go for a GBR if you had wanted a Bolivian ram, I made that compromise for my girlfriends tank and it didn't go too well. The GBRs kept randomly dying after a month or so even though water conditions were "Fine/Perfect" and they had been seen eating and active that very day out of the blue bam dead.

My Bolivian ram on the other hand I had to actually drive an hour to get that fish, my local pets at home stock them and to be honest they looked in fantastic health and actually so did every other fish in that store for once. Though I just couldn't bring myself to risk it. I went to Maidenhead aquatics instead.

My best piece of advice to give would be don't substitute a fish like a Bolivian Ram for a GBR just because your LFS barely stocks them. Most fish stores will specifically get those fish in for you if you want them. Mine does but only on a monthly basis.

 

[mbsqw1d]

SEVENTEEN POUNDS YOU SAY!?

I bought two BRs from p@h and they came with free callumanus worms

i lost one whilst treating for worms but the otherone is doing just fine. i have a ligt coloured sand. i would quarenteen for a few weeks if possible.. im not sure if these fish are more prone to having worms?

 

[Shaman]

I tried another lfs today....

Now my two bolivians are just getting used to the water! Slowly dripping my water into there bag.

Hopefully the journey back won't have stressed them too much. A bit of radio 2 turned down low though the road was twisty!

Poor image quality but they're still in the bag! I'll get a better picture when they're more settled.

My silvertips are curious!

Shaman Dan

 

[JoshuaA]

Goodman!

How much did they cost for the pair then? They're lovely fish, mine in fact has hardly any colour apart from the pink around his tail and small black shading.

S/he has such a personality though, if I go up to the tank he will reverse out from behind a plant and stare at me, then hide. Then 30 seconds later S/he pops up out of no where and is right infront of me staring me out!

 

[Shaman]

£7 for the pair.

I think they are a bit darker due to being stressed. Hopefully they will settle down.

I'm already loving them! They were in the bag smiling at me!

Just about to let them loose now!

They're quite shy at the minute! Hiding round the back in the tank.

As a side, what's the ideal temperature for them?

Shaman

 

[mbsqw1d]

very nice! how are they interacting with eachother? from tht last pic i think theres a chance it might be a she?! i have my temp at 26-28 (fluctuates with temp of my flat, not alot i can do about it) what other fish do you have sorry?

 

[Shaman]

very nice! how are they interacting with eachother? from tht last pic i think theres a chance it might be a she?! i have my temp at 26-28 (fluctuates with temp of my flat, not alot i can do about it) what other fish do you have sorry?

At the minute they are just bobbing around together. Seem to enjoy each others company. They were the only two in the shop so they hopefully get along!

My temperature was at 24.5 but I've upped the heater so it's slowly rising. It's at 25.1 now.

There tank mates are 6 x Silver Tipped Tetras and Brian the Bristlenose. The silver tips have been having a look at the rams but have been well behaved!

How can you tell the sex? I wonder if they may breed!?!

 

[meguro]

recommended temperature between 24-27C

 

[philak]

Your temperature was fine to start with at 24.5. I would keep it there.

Almost the only reliable way to sex rams is by the projection under the belly which is a rounded tube pointing almost downwards for mature females and a smaller , pointed affair which heads backwards for mature males.

Sexing by colour ,fin shape ,head shape , fin extns etc etc is not even worth considering IMO.