[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.

 

[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.

 

[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:

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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:

 

[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.

 

[Lupin]

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

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

its kindof a crappy pic....

'Tis late for me to see that link.

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