German Ram Or Bolivian?

[Winterlily]

It's taking forever, but I'm still trying to work out what my stocking will be on a new being-set-up 55 gallon. I love the rams... colors are gorgeous. Of those fairly easily available (I'm assuming German or Bolivian), which is better for a beginner in terms of care and requirements etc?

I've only seen adults in my LFS - any suggestions on where to find younger ones?

Can they live with small fish like guppies, or is that a no-no?

Angels are okay with them, yes? (At least I think I understood that right.)

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions for other dwarf cichlids that aren't too aggressive or shy (I'm looking for colorful and the kind of fish that will, for example, come right up to the glass when they see you) I'd love to hear!

Thanks!

 

[Joller]

Bolivian rams are alot hardier, and are ideal for begginers(although less colourful than german blue rams).
i'm not sure about guppies but angels are fine to go with them.
most SA cichlids will come up to the glass(imo). all my fish are up my end of the tank watching me through the glass right now.

 

[joshjames]

55 gallon i would do
pair of rams
pair of angels
shoal of dithers such as rummynose tetra or congo tetra so they are big enough not to get eaten by the angels
BN plec or 2
shoal of corys

 

[jb12288]

You can even add to that stocking if you would like. Add one more pleco, 1 more angel, some cory cats, and 1-2 more rams

 

[Truck]

You can even add to that stocking if you would like. Add one more pleco, 1 more angel, some cory cats, and 1-2 more rams

rams and angels dont work in odd numbers...your best off with mated pairs to avoid aggression

 

[jb12288]

I have never heard the odd number before

 

[Forestpisces]

Very intresting, i will bear that in mind when i set up my Big tank

 

[ALW]

rams and angels dont work in odd numbers

Rams are fine in groups! Although agreed about the Angels

 

[Truck]

rams and angels dont work in odd numbers

Rams are fine in groups! Although agreed about the Angels

depends on the gender of course. female rams will be just as territorial as males.

for a pair of rams you need approximately 20 gallons...and for a pair of angels 20 gallons too...push this rule and you will more than likely get aggression problems

 

[ALW]

Sorry but Rams can be kept in groups, gender dosnt matter!

 

[Truck]

Sorry but Rams can be kept in groups, gender dosnt matter!

put 2 or 3 males into a tank and see what happens...as soon as they hit sexual maturity they will get arsey...ive seen people on here complaining of their rams fighting. ive also experienced it myself

 

[ALW]

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=420

 

[Truck]

a species profile is nothing on personal experience

 

[steve1572]

if you want rams buy from this guy his fieh are the best quality you will find in this country rams

 

[Winterlily]

Okay. Thanks for all the info, guys - I appreciate it. Okay, so it sounds like, for the most part, I can only keep a pair because more than one male could potentally be a problem later? If so, I'm wanting to get them when they're young. I'm not going to know what sex they are at that point. What's the best way to proceed there, then?

And, is the male thing an issue if you have, for example, a male Bolivian and a male German? Or is it just ANY male rams together?