German Blue Ram Tank Mate Ideas

[joeyo45]

I have a 20 Gallon long tank with 10 amano shrimp and am planning on adding a pair of GBRs into the tank in the future. I want to add another fish possibly a school, any ideas. I don't really want cardinal tetras, rummynose tetras or anything too basic of a schooling fish, something more unique that would pair well, with what I am wanting to do. Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[tinylostwine]

One of the few cat fishes that won't interfer with breeding and enjoy the warmer temperature is:
paraoctocinclus haroldi (galaxy oto) - you could get around 6 if you have a fat wallet.

You don't want various species of pleco if you want your rams to breed and most cat fishes like cory are going to want cooler temps; come to think of it most tetra will also want cooler temps. Anyways cardinals are bad tank mates because they love to eat little baby rams but in truth the list of good tank mates is relatively small if you want to breed them though with a larger aquarium you could keep them with discus

 

[FishDin]

Pencilfish maybe. The Joy of Keeping Pencilfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

 

[tinylostwine]

Pencilfish maybe. The Joy of Keeping Pencilfish | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine

Many species of pencilfishes are going to not be happy at 81-82. The article mentions beckfordi which would prefer cooler temps and are known to go after dwarf cichild frys. Not sure if they are as aggressive at cardinals but the very fact they would push that species suggest the article has some factual errors.

The article also talks bout keeping them with discus that prefer it even warmer and push the n. beckfordi even further out of their prefer temperature range.

Having said this that does not mean there is a species of nannostomus that does prefer warmer temperatures.

 

[FishDude92]

Maybe rasboras would be a good fit. I bet around 10 could fit depending on the species.

 

[TClare]

Green neon tetras like higher temperatures and are pretty and tiny, I don’t know how they are when it comes to stealing fry.

 

[tinylostwine]

Green neon tetras like higher temperatures and are pretty and tiny, I don’t know how they are when it comes to stealing fry.

Hum - the only concern with them is (from wiki page):
"Additionally, this is the only species in the genus to possess premaxillary teeth in 2 separate rows."

I should check mine to see if they brush regularly

Maybe rasboras would be a good fit. I bet around 10 could fit depending on the species.

All rasboras I know of (which is not many) prefer cooler temperature though they can tolerate 82 for short periods.