Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Species => Dwarf Cichlids => Topic started by: Cathy Dee Snork on September 07, 2019, 05:17:04 AM

Title: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: Cathy Dee Snork on September 07, 2019, 05:17:04 AM: Everything I've read about these fish says how tricky they are to keep and how they only thrive in temps above 25 degrees (77F) and how they need slow tank mates etc etc
however today I was convinced to add two of these incredible little guys to my established fully planted tank. The breeder insists that the temps only need to be high if you want to breed. I keep my tank at around 24 degrees (75.2F) because I have a wee herd of panda cats and they do like the cooler temps.

So my question is - has anyone else kept these rams at the lower temps with tank mates that include the fast swimming danios and Emperor tetras? I am hoping I haven't made a big mistake. (So far they look super happy but it hasn't even been a day yet :-)
Cheers and thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: Hampalong on September 07, 2019, 10:46:37 AM: They tend not to thrive below about 78 minimum, but are much happier in the mid 80s. Watch out for white spot at low temperatures.
Title: Re: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: jaypeecee on September 07, 2019, 06:29:50 PM: Hi Cathy Dee,

Welcome to the forum!

I keep, and have bred, German Blue Rams (GBRs). Electric Blue Rams are an ornamental strain of GBRs or, to give them their 'proper' name, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi. Normally, the recommended lower water temperature is 26C. I keep them in the range 27 - 31C. Keeping them at 24C is taking a bit of a risk. Also, be aware that they need soft water with GH in the range 1 - 10dGH and pH from 4 to 7. Ensure that nitrate is kept low at less than 20ppm.

Being cichlids, they are not timid and can fend off some fish twice their size. I have GBRs in a tank with a Siamese Algae Eater, which is a fast-moving fish but no issues there.

Keep a close eye on your Rams and keep us informed.

JPC
Title: Re: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: Littlefish on September 08, 2019, 11:01:10 AM: Hi @Cathy Dee Snork and welcome to the forum. :wave:
Title: Re: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: Matt on September 08, 2019, 08:22:02 PM: I have kept them at 25 degrees with no problems with whitespot. I never got a long life from them though... (though this is quite common and I'm not sure the temperature was to blame) and so I have personally decided not to keep persevereing where i am not being successful... I am going to try Bolivian Rams next...
Title: Re: Electric Blue Rams
Post by: jaypeecee on December 04, 2019, 08:55:42 AM: Hi Everyone,

Someone recently linked to the following YouTube video on another forum that I use. I couldn't resist linking to it here. If you love German Blue Rams (GBRs), then this video will not fail to inform and impress.

Enjoy!

JPC