Potential Tank Mates For German Blue Rams

[mancin]

Hi there! I posted in another area of the forum looking for some ideas for stocking a 55 Gallon tank, but I'm thinking I want to have some cichlids in there so I thought this may be a better place to post to get cichlid advice.

Here is what I'm thinking of a potential stock list:

2 Bristlenose Pleco (or I may keep the Pleco that came with the tank, depending on the ID )
6 Kuhli Loach
10 Harlequin Rasboras
2 German Blue Rams (male/female)

I'm thinking I could get some additional GBRs, or possibly look into some other peaceful cichlids. I had always heard terrible things about cichlids, but it seems there are several that are still stunning, but not quite as aggressive. Would Bolivian Rams or Keyhole Cichlids be a good addition? I have a nice piece of bogwood that I'm soaking right now to add to the tank, and there will be rocks and other hiding places within the tank itself.

There are so many choices out there and I've been doing my research, but I'd like to hear from some of those that have kept GBRs with other cichlids.

 

[DJ ArKaDaRkA]

i got a keyhole at the weekend altho its really shy when it does come out its really fun to watch

 

[TigerIssey]

I have 2 pairs GBR in my 55g along with 4 angel fish, did have 4 pairs, picked the best and took the others back. Also started out with 6 angels, kept the 4 that seemed to have paired. They inhabit different levels and look stunning together, no aggression so far, breeding time may be different and I have plans to make a divider if a pair get too aggressive.
In with them are BN plecs, Queen Arabesque and a school of blue tetras. Is a nice combination as they are all south american.

 

[mancin]

I have 2 pairs GBR in my 55g along with 4 angel fish, did have 4 pairs, picked the best and took the others back. Also started out with 6 angels, kept the 4 that seemed to have paired. They inhabit different levels and look stunning together, no aggression so far, breeding time may be different and I have plans to make a divider if a pair get too aggressive.
In with them are BN plecs, Queen Arabesque and a school of blue tetras. Is a nice combination as they are all south american.

You didn't notice any aggression between the multiples of the GBR? Unfortunately, the LFS here that has the GBRs won't take fish back. If I got multiples and needed to take them back, there is another store that could take them, however.

i got a keyhole at the weekend altho its really shy when it does come out its really fun to watch

Do single cichlids do OK? I thought I had read that it's best to get them in pairs.

 

[TigerIssey]

I noticed aggression between the males, that was why I reduced the nubers down to 4. Much better. I only ended up with 8 because the firstt 4 I bought were long finned, was not sure if anal fin sexing rules applied. They turned out to be 4 males so I went and bought 4 females and allowed them to pair. I then kept the 2 pairs I liked the most.
The 2 males I have kept occasionally have a flare at each other, mostly stay in their own territories now.

I took mine to another store aswell, this was only because the store I took them to had a better marine section and I swapped them for marine supplies for my new nano reef tank. Most stores will take pairs of rams in exchange for store credit, it is certain fish (big ones or tank busters) they have a problem with.

 

[Truck]

you must cross the khuli loaches off as they prefer lower temps (20-24oC)

where as rams like it high (28oC) if you dont meet this, they will be prone to disease and will die early.

disease such as hexamita will be able to take hold quickly at lower temps. and there metabolism will also slow down at lower temps. angels like it high too (26-28)

 

[Davo86]

I would go with 2 fish from one of the following species: Angels Keyholes, Curviceps, Bolivian Rams, Apisto Sp., Dicrossus Sp., Rainbow cichlids,
You could also add another shoal of dithers IMO

 

[mancin]

you must cross the khuli loaches off as they prefer lower temps (20-24oC)

where as rams like it high (28oC) if you dont meet this, they will be prone to disease and will die early.

disease such as hexamita will be able to take hold quickly at lower temps. and there metabolism will also slow down at lower temps. angels like it high too (26-28)

Oh darn!! I was pretty excited about the Kuhli Loaches and I thought I had looked at temps and there was a temp where they both were good at. I definitely need to look into that again. It's possible I got my temp #s mixed up with another fish.

 

[Truck]

you must cross the khuli loaches off as they prefer lower temps (20-24oC)

where as rams like it high (28oC) if you dont meet this, they will be prone to disease and will die early.

disease such as hexamita will be able to take hold quickly at lower temps. and there metabolism will also slow down at lower temps. angels like it high too (26-28)

Oh darn!! I was pretty excited about the Kuhli Loaches and I thought I had looked at temps and there was a temp where they both were good at. I definitely need to look into that again.

most will say lower is fine, but it really isnt!! ive seen enough die in my LFS being kept at 25. as soon as i cranked up the temp on that tank all was fine, and we had less die off

 

[mancin]

I would go with 2 fish from one of the following species: Angels Keyholes, Curviceps, Bolivian Rams, Apisto Sp., Dicrossus Sp., Rainbow cichlids,
You could also add another shoal of dithers IMO

Thanks! I like Angels, but wasn't sure if they got too big for the tank. There's a couple on your list I'm not familiar with, so I'll have to research those and see. I'm guessing I should try and do another male/female if possible, or female/female to try and avoid male/male aggression?

 

[TigerIssey]

What are the actual dimensions of the 55g. Angels do need a tall tank, by that I mean at least 18" from the top of the substrate to the water line. Apart from that a 55g is a good size for them. I must update my pictures, give me a day or two and I will post some updated pics of my south american tank, you can see what they look like then.

 

[mancin]

What are the actual dimensions of the 55g. Angels do need a tall tank, by that I mean at least 18" from the top of the substrate to the water line. Apart from that a 55g is a good size for them. I must update my pictures, give me a day or two and I will post some updated pics of my south american tank, you can see what they look like then.

I believe it's 50" X 13" x 22". I have about an inch of sand in there.

Edit: The current pics of your tank are BEAUTIFUL!

 

[mancin]

I went to my LFS today to check out potential stock. It seems a lot of the Rams are only male as the breeder that provides the fish kept all of the females!! I saw some beautiful Gold Rams. I actually wasn't too impressed with the Keyhold Cichlids once I saw them in person, however there were only a few of them so maybe they weren't the best representation. There were a good number of Angels. They had Koi Angels which seemed to have a more marbled look to them, which was quite attractive. I also saw some Bolivian Rams, but again there were only males in the tank. I wasn't able to find the others that Davo86 recommended, however it's probably because I'm not familiar with how they look so I may have just passed right over them. I was trying to read every single label on the tanks.

 

[Davo86]

I wasn't able to find the others that Davo86 recommended, however it's probably because I'm not familiar with how they look so I may have just passed right over them. I was trying to read every single label on the tanks.

Depending on where you are from you may struggle to find some of the species listed, some of the species you will certainly not find at your average LFS

 

[TigerIssey]

I believe it's 50" X 13" x 22". I have about an inch of sand in there.

Edit: The current pics of your tank are BEAUTIFUL!

The tank is perfect sizewise for the angels, they will really like that length. I have a koi, a marbled black, a 5 bar and a 3 bar, I took the others back to the lfs. This is why I need to update it for you, the plants have also grown in well, the angles look so graceful gliding between them. They really like the amazon swords, I believe this is the plant they particularly like for spawning, so I would certainly recommend some of those if you do go with angels.

Thank you very much for the compliment, I have to say it is a little more neglected since setting up my reef, however it is now at the point where minimum maintenance is needed and that is all I do.

I would not worry about females too much, get the males you like and keep an eye out either in lfs or via internet stores for females. I believe wildwoods has the option to select females when you order online.