Soon...

[ehh]

Came across a tank full of these guys yesterday.
I'd love to keep some kind of really small cichlid. Someday...

 

[philipraposo1982]

german blue rams and other rams are not very hardy in my experience. I think they are cool little fish though but be prepared for some heartache when a healthy looking fish slowly withers and dies in front of you.

Bolivian rams seem to be the toughest of the group.

 

[mrrobxc]

Depends on what your water is. South of neutral, they do fine.

 

[ehh]

german blue rams and other rams are not very hardy in my experience. I think they are cool little fish though but be prepared for some heartache when a healthy looking fish slowly withers and dies in front of you.

Bolivian rams seem to be the toughest of the group.

I've read they can be fragile. I wouldn't try to own them here. The ph is way too high and way too hard for them.

 

[Skalper666]

I have kept both German and Bolivian rams before in higher phs for a long periods but it's not desirable yes. Cockatoo dwarfs though... no such luck.

 

[darth pike]

Temp plays a huge part as well for blue rams. Above 84F is recommended, which is one of the reasons you see them so often in discus tanks. They seem to be more prone to issues under that temp.

Also, though rare to find, the wild ones hold up far better than the line bred ones.

 

[darth pike]

I have kept both German and Bolivian rams before in higher phs for a long periods but it's not desirable yes. Cockatoo dwarfs though... no such luck.

Which is odd, because Apistogramma cacatuoides is one of the SA fish that comes from harder, above neutral pH.

 

[Skalper666]

Which is odd, because Apistogramma cacatuoides is one of the SA fish that comes from harder, above neutral pH.

Yeah they are juat pretty sensitive. My friend and I picked a few up several times years ago and neither one of us have had any luck with higher phs. Rams though no prob.

 

[tlindsey]

I have had both and didn't for long my water is perfect for African cichlids though. I will maybe try Blue Rams again now that I know that they do better in higher temps. Thanks for the tip darth pike

 

[PYRU]

I "think" you need RO water for these.