Some questions about Rams

[Gapzero]

Hey,

I have never kept them, and I would like too. I read they were easy to keep, then I read they were delicate. I read they needed water that was soft/acidic, then I read they are Ok in harder more alkaline water. I am wondering if you any of you keep or have kept them? Just a little help please. I will return the favor if you ever have any questions about Catfish or Anabantids.

[mark razmandi]

they are more delicate and tend to have a short life....they can handle a broad temp range from 75 to 85 degrees...and a lower ph of 5.5-6.5...a softer water is preferred...as far as jsut keeping them alive and happy, hardness is not a big deal and neither is ph as long as it doesnt fluctuate. if you plan on breeding them, which im guessing you do, then you might have more success with a neutral ph and softer to medium hard water

[bdiamond]

I personally never had any luck with them, not one made it past 4-6 weeks. I've kept discus at the same time, and thought discus were easier to keep than the rams, but that's just my experience...

[cichlid1409]

used to keep them with my discus, no problems at all, ph~6.4 soft, peat water temp 80
never bred them but had them for a about 2 years b4 i broke down the tank and got rid of them.

[mgarrido]

You can keep them with discus BUUUUUT, they don't like to much the massive water changes, They love age water, same as cardinals. WC 10-25% weekly is what i recommend.

[Matt in Houston]

I have German Blue Rams, Gold Rams, and Electric Blues...all living together with angels, tetras and corys' in a planted tank.

Water straight out of the tap...~7ph after using co2 for the plants, my water is not considered soft, and its not filtered through peat or anything special. My Gold Rams lay eggs about every 14-21 days or so...I never really kept count.

I find them very easy to keep...they eat out of my hand and are always messing around doing something. Just keep the water clean and stable...weekly water changes, low nitrates..and you will be fine. They love a variety of foods. Give them a shot its worth it.

[Darbex]

I used to have a hard time keeping them but I too have learned that all you really need to do is keep everything stable and they can cope with the other stuff. Very similar to discus

[myjohnson]

You can keep them with discus BUUUUUT, they don't like to much the massive water changes, They love age water, same as cardinals. WC 10-25% weekly is what i recommend.

+1.

Side note, listen to this man he knows what he is talking about when it comes to planted tanks and SA fishes.

[Complexity]

I believe my tanks are stable, but I can't keep rams for anything. I've given up on them completely. It's a shame since they're beautiful fish, but their beauty doesn't last after they've died.

[Gapzero]

Hey I appreciate the help. It is funny how your replies are exactly the same as I read on the internet, half the people say easy, other half say hard.
MATT IN HOUSTON: Do you have any fry you want to give up?

[Matt in Houston]

I think it may also have something to do with where you get them. I got all my rams from HAW and theyre doing great. I have seen some at other fish stores that dont look quite right. Just be picky when it comes time to buy. Also they like warmer temps...82 is a good spot and some say warmer like 84...I keep mine around 81 - 82 and they seem very happy.

oh I just saw your PM....sorry I havent pulled the ram eggs yet to try and raise them. I just finished last raising some angels and now Im busy setting up a big discus tank. Maybe one day Ill give it a shot and you can have first dibs.

[Gapzero]

Hey thanks. I will try to get there this weekend.

[seminoleranch]

You can keep them with discus BUUUUUT, they don't like to much the massive water changes, They love age water, same as cardinals. WC 10-25% weekly is what i recommend.

I've only had mine for about 2 or 3 months now and all seems fine so far. I agree 100% on the water changing, I had only been doing about 25% changes and last week I done a 50% change. My guys lost their color for a couple of days and hide quite a bit. Other than this I would say go for it, I love mine and don't regret buying them.

[stevenallenbarnard]

Also, from my experience, the Bolivian rams are easier to take care of than the others. they are a bit more fiesty and tolerant to things like temp.