[jsm11482]

Hi, I am going to be getting discus in maybe a month or two, I am wondering if in the meantime I can get some rams (gold, bolivian, blue). Since they are peacful and of the cichlid family, they should be OK with the discus, right? Also, how hard are rams to care for?

 

[Lupin]

My favorite thread.

Both species, Microgeophagus ramirezi and Microgeophagus altispinosa are compatible with discus.

The former is harder to keep than the latter. I prefer the former. They have graces and smaller than the latter. I have 5 of them. Hard as nails in my case. Others will only complain how hard they are.:dunno:

I have both rams in my tank together with discus and angelfish.

 

[jsm11482]

Thanks blue, would it be OK to add them now or should I also wait like 3 mos like I am with the discus?

 

[Lupin]

Thanks blue, would it be OK to add them now or should I also wait like 3 mos like I am with the discus?

I would add them together with the discus. The bolivians are fine in a tank as early as 2 months. They are quite hardy anyway and I've never had problems with the bolivians. I do have problems with blue rams but not as much as some sensitive tetras like the rummy-nose tetras and neons.

 

[jsm11482]

Ok, any reason why I should add them at the same time? I am planning on getting like 8 discus all at once and throwing them in the tank. I already have some danios in there (sorry, i will leave them in with the discus, i love them). I wouldn't be able to quarnatine 8 discus anyway, right?

 

[jsm11482]

Also, do the bolivian rams really get this bright & beautiful?

 

[Lupin]

Ok, any reason why I should add them at the same time? I am planning on getting like 8 discus all at once and throwing them in the tank. I already have some danios in there (sorry, i will leave them in with the discus, i love them). I wouldn't be able to quarnatine 8 discus anyway, right?

Blue rams are just more sensitive than the discus. At least, in my experience. Hence I advise you to add them at a later date.:mrgreen:

Depending on the stocking of your lfs, it may depend if they can be quite colorful or not. Mine is not really colorful but still fun to watch.:mrgreen:

 

[jsm11482]

Cool so I think I will get some bolivian's. I assume the color only comes out once they are full grown? I will see what my lfs says, I know he can get them but I'll see what he thinks.

 

[Lupin]

Cool so I think I will get some bolivian's. I assume the color only comes out once they are full grown? I will see what my lfs says, I know he can get them but I'll see what he thinks.

Even juveniles will have colors showing up but not as much as adults do.

 

[L's bells]

just wanted to throw this thread into turmoil if i may, have you ever considered apistogramma? the more common species are alot hardier than rams ad easier to breed and IMO much more beautiful. heres some that i have kept and bred

 

[jsm11482]

they are awesome, but they are semi-aggressive. I want to keep a peacful tank!

 

[Lupin]

they are awesome, but they are semi-aggressive. I want to keep a peacful tank!

Josh, blue rams were also once considered as apistos.:wink2: But they're now just part of them as dwarf cichlids as they are open water brooders compared to apistos which are secret cave spawners.
Apistos are just as peaceful as the rams. Give Apistogramma borelli or Dicrossus filamentosus a try. Other options would be Apistogramma agassizi and Apistogramma cacatuiodes.

 

[jsm11482]

Thanks blue, I will look into those species!

 

[jsm11482]

Btw, it is also important to me that they dont eat the plants!

 

[Lupin]

Btw, it is also important to me that they dont eat the plants!

Of course not.:mrgreen: They would never eat plants.:thumbsup: Unlike those monster fish like oscars.:blueshake:

 

[jsm11482]

I just read that the borelli's prefer cold water and the temp should not exceed 70f: http://www.aquariumsite.com/fish/borellii_dwarf.php is this true?

I also read that the filamentosus are hermaphroditic: http://cichlidae.com/article.php?id=91

So, keeping these in mind:
Microgeophagus altispinosa - Bolivian Ram
Apistogramma borelli - Borelli's Dwarf Cichlid
Dicrossus filamentosus - Chessboard Cichlid
Apistogramma agassizi - Agassiz'z Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides- Cockatoo Cichlid

I think I am leaning toward the ram, borelli, and the cockatoo. Remember I am going to have discus as well. How many of each would you recommend for my 90gal (I want to have ~8 discus eventually)?

 

[Lupin]

I don't think it's entirely true. My friend who has 3 pairs to breed so I can get some from him later on, keeps them in a tank with a temp of around 28C. I doubt it. We live in the tropics and temperature barely goes below 24, more like 28-30. With that in mind, some of my friends keep them in that temp condition so you should be fine.

On the side note, almost all apistos are situated in areas where temps vary with the highest often at 32(for discus, 36 is often the highest). They may not be in one area but Amazon is barely that cold except during rainy days.

As for the checkerboards being hermaphrodites, I cannot answer that. As far as I had gone into other forums about these small cichlids, none may seem to have stated they are hermaphrodites or I could have miss that point. But people often keep them in a tank in pair rather than in odd numbers where all cannot get a partner.

If you can provide a large thicket of plants along with some slates for caves, a pair of each will be fine. May depend. I never had problems keeping a group of rams in my tank even if they are meant to be in pairs.:dunno: It really depends but a pair of each is safer as long as you have enough hiding places for them.

 

[jojoyojimbi]

You should allow 10g per adult discus, so 8 might be pushing it with other fish, stick to 6 or so and you'll be better off

 

[jsm11482]

how many bolivian rams do you think I should get? I was thinking 2 male and 2-3 female....(i want them to breed)

 

[jsm11482]

what do you think about babies from this pair....

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/for/239897696.html

its kindof a crappy pic....