Phishies Inn

I've been rearranging my stocking ideas for my 55 gallon a ton of times now :P Right now I'm trying to decide on my "centerpiece" fish...at first it was going to be an angelfish but I've been looking at blue rams...they seem very very pretty and they only get to 3 inches or so, which is about what I was looking for.

Anyway, I was wondering if one would be okay by itself, or would it be happier with another? I don't really want to deal with breeding so I would try and get 2 females, would they be okay? I don't know how they are in terms of aggression and such.

TFA101

Rams can be solitary, but they would really prefer to be in pairs (male, female pairs) and they can be really social animals if given the chance.

What other fish are you looking to put in your new tank? I might be able to help look for a "centerpiece" fish

Phishies Inn

It's going to be a loach tank...so far I know I'm getting 4/5 zebra danios as dither fish, 5 kuhli loaches, and 3 yoyo loaches, more depending on whatever the centerpiece fish will be.

I think the blue rams are very pretty, and I wouldn't mind getting a pair but I don't want them to get too aggressive and territorial if/when they spawn :/ Other than rams I've been looking at an angelfish, some kind gourami, etc...just haven't really decided yet.

TFA101

I would reccomend the Pearl Gourami Trichogaster Leeri (see attachment). This fish is very hardy and beautiful as well. They are peaceful members of the tank and can be kept as a single. THe only times they get aggressive is when a similar looking fish pesters them during breeding time, or if its a dominant gourami... I had this experience with a platy.


Then again, rams have to be one of the most peaceful cichlids in the aquarium trade. They require shelters to prevent one another from being seen, but will display to each other along terretorial boundries. The only time they will get aggressive is usually only during the breeding sessions of this fish and are otherwise, peaceful tankmates.

Im trying some new species on my "soon-to-come" 45 gallon tank. All I have to do is price everything and convince my parents.
(I'll be lucky if I get a new filter...)

Attached Images

trichogaster_leeri.jpg (41.6 KB, 2 views)

Phishies Inn

Hehe I know the feeling. My parents don't really care what I do with my aquariums as long as I 1) Pay for it and 2) Don't flood anything :P

In any case, I was looking at dwarf gouramis more than pearls if I were to go that route...I'd probably get 2 or 3.

Still I'm growing attached to these rams, and I don't even have them yet lol! I think I'll get 2, and if they pair then that's cool, but if they either don't like each other or if they're same gender, do you think 55 gallons is enough space for them to claim territory? They only get to 3 or so inches after all. And of course if they still want to fight I can always take one back, my LFS is really nice to me

If all else fails, I'll revert to my original plan and get a marble angelfish lol :P

Edit: Oh and my tank has got enough hiding places I think...do you think I should get a couple of small pots to make some quick caves just in case?

TFA101

your tank has a beautiful and natural appearance. I would suggest you add more rock caves or plants as shelters rather than flower pots (tacky) as more natural appearances make many loaches, catfish, and other species feels secure