Rams With Hoplo Catfish

[poley]

hey, i was wondering if you can keep blue rams with hoplo catfish as i got two hoplos in a 125l tank would like a pair of ram. Would they be fine or would it be better putting something else like kribensis instead of the rams? as i really interested in getting some.
cheers

 

[StandbySetting]

125 Litres isn't large enough for Hoplo's long term in my opinion, what temperature do you keep the tank at? M.altispinosus would probably be the best choice.

 

[england]

Agreed

 

[fluttermoth]

They ought to be fine, though I have no experience of hoplo cats myself.

Do bear in mind that blue rams can be quite a delicate litte fish; they do like warmer temperatures (around 27°C/80°F) and need really, really clean water; zero ammonia and nitrites and nitrates below 20 or 30ppm, or they'll just waste away after a short time. Soft, acidic water helps, although tank bred rams can adjust to a higher pH.

125 Litres isn't large enough for Hoplo's long term in my opinion,

Oh, good point, I forgot to mention that

 

[poley]

temperature is 26˚c. and Hoplo's don’t grown any bigger than 6 inch in aquarium, well i never seen then any bigger. and tbh i probably end up get a bigger tank in time anyway so i move then in there but the 3ft is the biggest i got at the mo. i never seen M.altispinosus for sale round me.

 

[Wills]

Agree with Standby Bolivian Rams will work much better - though any dwarf acara or apisto could as well. Just with the care needs that Blue Rams have (like flutter mentioned) not an idea to add them to a tank not designed around them.

Also agree on the tank size for Hoplos, if you like Hoplos why not go for some Hoplosternum pectorale or dwarf hoplos, they look great and same behaviour

Wills

 

[StandbySetting]

temperature is 26˚c. and Hoplo's don’t grown any bigger than 6 inch in aquarium, well i never seen then any bigger. and tbh i probably end up get a bigger tank in time anyway so i move then in there but the 3ft is the biggest i got at the mo. i never seen M.altispinosus for sale round me.

I've seen them at 7.5 inches, and even at 6 inches, a 125 Is still far too small, as it has a small base area.

M.altispionosus is a pretty common species, it's common name is the Bolivian Ram, maybe it's named under this instead?

 

[poley]

sorry for the confusion i have got Hoplosternum pectorale. i have ro water for them to as my tap water is hard, and it is acidic water. and i know i have to zero ammonia and nitrites and nitrates below 20 or 30ppm and if i want the best colour to water change every few days. i have set my tank around them just been waiting for it to get a 6 month old so i wont have any spike hopefully. and im in no rush to get them so i see if they have any Bolivian rams but do prefer blue rams tbh.

 

[StandbySetting]

Upon further reading, H.pectorale prefer cooler waters (20-24[sup]o[/sup]C), M.ramirezi (Blue Rams) will thrive at much higher temperatures (28-30[sup]o[/sup]C), Bolivian Rams are much better suited, and saying that I wouldn't keep Bolivian Rams in anything less than 23[sup]o[/sup]C.

Are you remineralising your RO water?

 

[poley]

fair enough i read up about Bolivian Rams. i buy my RO water so i take it already been remineralising. as the ph of the ro water is 7 so i taking they are adding beneficial minerals back into the water but just Softing the water.

 

[StandbySetting]

Of course the PH of RO water is 7, it's pure water, after it has been remineralised the PH will be slightly higher than 7, the un-mineralised water is incredibly bad for your fish as minerals are required for osmoregulation and other bodily functions that they carry out daily.

Ask at your LFS if they're re-mineralising their water, which I doubt they will be, as RO water is generally for reef set ups where the water should ideally have 0 minerals prior to the addition of salt.

 

[poley]

ok i ask when i next in there thank for info never knew that i get right on it and sort it out. thank you