Rams And Corys

[ghettofarmulous]

Hey guys,

Are Blue rams compatible with Bronze corys? I want to add a bit of colour to my tank without overstocking it.

The tank is 70L and has
6 Bronze corys
1 small bristlenose

Fluval 205 with a nano power head for flow. weekly 50% water changes
The water parameters are always spot on.
PH is 6.5
here is a picture of my tank

 

[FishFanatic04]

What temp do you keep the tank for the bronzes? Your ph is good for them at least

 

[deftuch]

simple answer is yes. offcourse they are. rams are peacfull to plecs,corys,loaches ect. carefull with rainbow fish, young firemouths and other cichlids, almost any cichlid bigger is usually ok too

 

[FishFanatic04]

Blue rams need a higher temperature then some of the other dwarf cichlids. Cories and rams will get along fine, but you need to also consider whether they will be compatibile in their needs.

 

[balajake]

I have corys in with big cichlids and they get on very well

 

[ghettofarmulous]

What temp do you keep the tank for the bronzes? Your ph is good for them at least

I keep the temperature of the tank between 23 and 26 degrees. All depends on room temperature but t doesnt fluctuate much.

simple answer is yes. offcourse they are. rams are peacfull to plecs,corys,loaches ect. carefull with rainbow fish, young firemouths and other cichlids, almost any cichlid bigger is usually ok too

Ah cool man. I wont be adding any other fish to the mix, i love corrys as they are exciting and turn my sand over constantly. I was just afraid that they may invade the rams space all the time ( as they do) and the rams would peck them. I had a male betta not so long ago and he killed three corys on me. No reason just a jerk betta.

I have corys in with big cichlids and they get on very well

Good to hear bud

 

[nmonks]

Good answer. Apart from a few hothouse varieties like Corydoras sterbai, none of the traded Corydoras are happy at the 28-30 C needed for long-term success with Ram Cichlids. Furthermore, like all dwarf cichlids, Rams can be extremely hard on fish that don't respect their territories; do see, for example, Loiselle's "Cichlid Aquarium" book for reports on poor Corydoras having their eyes bitten out!

Sure, some people combine them. But how many of those people keep both the catfish and the cichlids for full lifespans (around 5 years for the cichlids, 5-10 years for the Corydoras) in the same tank?

Cheers, Neale

PS. Your water is likely to hard and acidic for long-term success with Rams in any case; the quality of farmed stock is appalling to begin with, but they do need very soft water (1-2 degrees dH) and very acidic water (pH 5-6) for real success. Frankly, not a species I'd touch with a bargepole, and if you read around, you'll hear PLENTY of aquarists have trouble keeping Rams alive for any great length of time. Goes without saying keeping them too cold and in water that's too alkaline doesn't help matters any!

Blue rams need a higher temperature then some of the other dwarf cichlids. Cories and rams will get along fine, but you need to also consider whether they will be compatibile in their needs.

 

[FishFanatic04]

You could consider Bolivian Rams. They are overlooked. Mine have spawned and are not hurting the cories I have with them one bit. They chase them off if they get close, but none of the fish are being hurt.


You need to consider your tanks size as well. My success with them is in the numbers. I have 10 cories in a 3 foot bowfront with only 2 Bolivian rams

 

[Jay1983]

If your really wanting the rams, your corys will have to go dude, you could get sterbai cory's they will be ok up to around 28c which is best for the rams. Also easy to soften your water, go to local fish store most do reverse osmosis water and mix 50/50 tap and RO water. Your PH should be fine, softening the water, with your wood and the co2 your adding will probably bring your PH down to around 6ish.

 

[Tizer]

corys are so spikey, just about everything leaves them alone

 

[minnnt]

Good answer. Apart from a few hothouse varieties like Corydoras sterbai, none of the traded Corydoras are happy at the 28-30 C needed for long-term success with Ram Cichlids. Furthermore, like all dwarf cichlids, Rams can be extremely hard on fish that don't respect their territories; do see, for example, Loiselle's "Cichlid Aquarium" book for reports on poor Corydoras having their eyes bitten out!

Sure, some people combine them. But how many of those people keep both the catfish and the cichlids for full lifespans (around 5 years for the cichlids, 5-10 years for the Corydoras) in the same tank?

Cheers, Neale

PS. Your water is likely to hard and acidic for long-term success with Rams in any case; the quality of farmed stock is appalling to begin with, but they do need very soft water (1-2 degrees dH) and very acidic water (pH 5-6) for real success. Frankly, not a species I'd touch with a bargepole, and if you read around, you'll hear PLENTY of aquarists have trouble keeping Rams alive for any great length of time. Goes without saying keeping them too cold and in water that's too alkaline doesn't help matters any!

Blue rams need a higher temperature then some of the other dwarf cichlids. Cories and rams will get along fine, but you need to also consider whether they will be compatibile in their needs.

Maybe people will listen now that Neale has spoken. There has been so many threads of late asking about GBR's and people saying 'they seem happy' when they're being kept at 25c. They really aren't. They have the ability to live for 5 years, in the correct conditions. The wrong ones and you will be struggling to get them to see out 18 months. Research fish before buying them and advising on them.

 

[Tizer]

Fish that live for 18 months would be perfect for you though minnnt, they would snuff it in time for your rescape and change of stock

 

[minnnt]

18 month? Who are you kidding?

 

[Tizer]

18 month? Who are you kidding?

 

[james_fish]

Another dwarf Cichlid you could consider would be a species of Apistogramma. Less fussy in my opinion than the Ram's when it comes to water conditions but still beautiful nonetheless.

Just remember that surviving is not thriving.

James.

edit: spelling