I'm looking to redo my 55 gallon with some smaller species of cichlids, and I was considering devoting the tank to rams. I'd also like to include a large school of tetras as well. Given that rams are a smaller species, how many rams could go into a 55 gallon without it being overstocked? I realize that most people on the forum keep larger cichlids so any help or information is appreciated.
Rams in a 55?
- Thread starter frp13187
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I would do a group of six. Give them some nice flat stones to spawn on and little caves or flower pots for privacy and territories. Get some nice tetras for the mid-section of the tank and something like hatchets for the upper level, and you'll have a cool tank. 
Remember that rams love it warm -- keep it around 84 - 85F, and find tetras that appreciate the same.
Remember that rams love it warm -- keep it around 84 - 85F, and find tetras that appreciate the same.
I have recently set up a 55G blackwater tank, it is kind of a compromised "Orinoco" biotope.
I currently have two blue rams, two Dicrossus filamentosus (lyretail checkerboard cichlid) and a school of ~25 neon tetras. They seem to get on well, a believe all the cichlids are males though which helps.
I currently have two blue rams, two Dicrossus filamentosus (lyretail checkerboard cichlid) and a school of ~25 neon tetras. They seem to get on well, a believe all the cichlids are males though which helps.
I used to have two pairs in a 4x2x2 120g. They claimed two opposite corners, spawned every week, and "fight" in the middle of the tank. I suspect that each pair would need 2' of room from their spawning site, so I'd say 2 pairs should work well in a 55g too. Add some plants and dw to break the line of sight.
I agree with peathenster, IME a pair will claim a 2' territory ... so if you end up with 2 pairs, that would most likely be it.
There are not a lot of tetras that enjoy the higher temps blue rams enjoy, but three that do are rummy nose tetras, cardinal tetras, and green neon tetras.
There are not a lot of tetras that enjoy the higher temps blue rams enjoy, but three that do are rummy nose tetras, cardinal tetras, and green neon tetras.
El Zilcho;4397185; said:
I completely agree with everyone above but I had slightly different plans. I was planing a 90 gallon planted with the below stocklist, but never got around to it and ran out of tank space. Maybe start researching some of the below and see if theye are a fit with one another.
x2 Crenicichla Notothalmus (dwarf pike)
x2 Dicrossus Filamentosus (checkerboard) I LOVE THIS SPECIES!
x2 Microgeophagus Ramirezi (blue ram)
x10 Hemigrammus Rhodostomus (rummunose tetra) I belive there were three different subspecies for these guys if memory serves correct.
OR
x6 Puntius Denisoni (roseline torpedo barb) yeah, yeah I know, wrong section.. Still pretty though..