Agree with previous members. Breaking up the substrate to form artificial "territories" for the males is important, and this is best done with bogwood and plants.
Which ever species of Ram you are intending,
Mikrogeophagus ramirezi or
Mikrogeophagus altispinosus, it is best to have more females than males when you are getting more than just a mated pair [except as noted below]. In both species, the male selects his female and will bond usually permanently. Sometimes a fish can alter of course, none of this is carved in stone, but this is the norm with both species. [Clicking the shaded names will take you to their respective profile.]
If you observe these fish in the store tank, you will often see bonded pairs. I have found M. ramirezi to be quick to bond even when fairly small; M. altispinosus at the early age usually offered for sale might or might not, and distinguishing male/female when young is very difficult if not impossible. But if you see evidence of a bonded pair, make sure you get both fish; males might refuse other females, to the point of killing them. If you do see bonded pairs, you could get 3 or more pairs depending upon the tank layout mentioned previously.
Byron.
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