Hey Matt, thank you so much! I subscribed to your channel. Quick question, i have a planted 37g tall tank (no grass, just sand) but due to decor it only holds 29 gallons of water. my goal is to have a pair of bolovian rams in a community tank. I was thinking: Cardinal tetras-8 Corydora-3 Cherry Barb-5 Kuhli Loach-4 Is that too much? What adjustment would you make? Thanks for all the great vids!
@@PumpkinDumpling Start with your cardinal tetras, as they’re a solid dither fish for easing minor aggression in the aquarium and they’re probably among your priorities. After that, work your way down from which fish you absolutely NEED to have, to the ones you’d like - but you’d be okay without. This way you don’t miss out on your favourites if the tank ends up being too crowded. Also, if it was me, I’d trade multiple small schools for fewer, larger schools. This increases breeding behaviours and creates a very cohesive aesthetic. I would add that you use large hardscape. Something about it - if placed well- creates a territory line that both rams will respect. This is in the case that you end up with same-sex (especially male) rams. If you have a pair and they’re showing breeding behaviour: create space for them to nest, as well as less significant barriers should they ever have disagreements. Remember: plants can be unpredictable in their growth and decay, but a solid piece of rock or wood is not going anywhere.
Very sorry to hear that. Cichlids are such complex fish that it takes such careful attention to ensure that they aren’t too aggressive. I hope that this hasn’t ruined cichlids for you as a whole, but I understand that they aren’t for everyone. What do you think are the possible causes for this level of aggression?
@@MattKeepsFish Maybe it was because I bought one one week and then two more the week after. One was slightly bigger and completely dominated the other two and wouldn’t let them eat. I still have him and he’s cute but now he bullies my mollies and rainbow fish but only at feeding time. Rainbows are my favourites.
@@celticlady4821 Mine bullies particularly at feeding time too. Now I feed at both sides at the same time. Love rainbows too! Mine may have a pond-related disease however and so we may switch to full-on ghost catfish aquarium. Stay posted!
As per my experience they need planted aquarium and lots of hidden place, coz I two bolivian ram, out of it one was always supposed to hide beside filter or sit on top of it always, I got little tense, I thought may be he/she got sick. Then after observing couple of days I brought some plants and filled my aquarium with lots of plants and put some pots and stones, then I saw they are roaming in whole tank happily. So from my view I think they need planted aquarium with hidden space also in it. Hope the same will work for you, the next time you bring them again.
