German blue ram temperature advice/opinions

[BradleyQ]

I'm trying to figure out whether or not rams can be kept at normal tropical Temps (75-78) some ppl say yes, some no, and I just bought one that was being kept at 74. Anyway, I've had one for about 2 weeks in a cycled tank with lots of air, and filtration can I have some thoughts on the matter please! Thank you

 

[Fishstery]

78F is the bare minimum. 80-82F is good. 84F-86F is suggested by some.

I always kept mine at a happy 82F.

 

[TropicalFlow]

From what I’ve learned with rams, they are a fish that definetly likes hotter water. But, I have found that a temp around 79-83 is a “ perfect temperature” . When you keep them at 74 they tend to not be as active and sometimes colourful . They are quite the beautiful fish and I’m glad you are asking. When I first got blue rams when I was a kid , I kept them at room temp 71 . Of course being clueless at such a young age I had no idea why they would look so bad compared to what the fish store kept them at . Once I got older I was able to do reasearch and I learned the truth.
I kept mine happiest at 82

 

[coralbandit]

Under 80 your ram is a canary in a coal mine IMO . It will be the first fish to show an issue should your tank have a 'hiccup' .
I recommend 82-84 .

 

[Cale24]

Yeah, agree they're definitely happier in warmer water. I keep mine at 82F, and have also kept them at 78F for a long period of time in one case (community tank, with some runts that I decided to keep).

CAN they be kept lower than that? Apparently yes, IF they're very good quality fish (often the defining characteristic for ram longevity in any case), and IF the tank and parameters are kept consistently perfect. This video alerted me to this:

If for some reason the link is removed, search for:
"Filipe Oliveira / BREEDING TIME | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi German Blue" in Google. He has other videos concerning this around that time period.

Great aquascaper, very experienced in the hobby, and I chatted to him about his lower temps (tank at 75F!). As you'll see they are stunning rams. He told me he did raise the temp a little more for the fry, but otherwise had kept the tank cooler than is normal for the fish, without issue.

I'll always suggest circa 82F as a good region, but share above out of interest. Good fish, good water, and consistency.

 

[BradleyQ]

Yeah, agree they're definitely happier in warmer water. I keep mine at 82F, and have also kept them at 78F for a long period of time in one case (community tank, with some runts that I decided to keep).

CAN they be kept lower than that? Apparently yes, IF they're very good quality fish (often the defining characteristic for ram longevity in any case), and IF the tank and parameters are kept consistently perfect. This video alerted me to this:

If for some reason the link is removed, search for:
"Filipe Oliveira / BREEDING TIME | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi German Blue" in Google. He has other videos concerning this around that time period.

Great aquascaper, very experienced in the hobby, and I chatted to him about his lower temps (tank at 75F!). As you'll see they are stunning rams. He told me he did raise the temp a little more for the fry, but otherwise had kept the tank cooler than is normal for the fish, without issue.

I'll always suggest circa 82F as a good region, but share above out of interest. Good fish, good water, and consistency.

Ok, I have neons, guppies and a bristlenose pleco in with them, what if I turned it to 80? Would that be ok for everyone?

 

[TropicalFlow]

Ok, I have neons, guppies and a bristlenose pleco in with them, what if I turned it to 80? Would that be ok for everyone?

Your bristlenose pleco should be fine. It may be a little harder on your neons and bc they aren’t a fave of quite as warm but I will wait for other fish tank peoples replies. This is my opinion .

 

[Fishstery]

The guppies will be fine and I'm not familiar with pleco care. However 80F is too high for neon tetras. If you are able to, return/rehome them and replace them with cardinal tetras. Cardinal tetras are a popular choice with discus and rams because they prefer warm waters as well, 80-86F.

 

[Cale24]

Ok, I have neons, guppies and a bristlenose pleco in with them, what if I turned it to 80? Would that be ok for everyone?

Personally I think that could work, just bear in mind rams are the most fragile (although lot of neons have issues these days too). Swapping out for cardinals as advised may be the best, then you could run the tank at 82F.

Edit: Should also add that our local breeder advises no lower than 82F for his more experimental strains (incl. some early black ram generations), but that strong lines (often with wild caught genes mixed in) are more tolerant of slightly lower temps. Kind of supports what I discovered with that guy in the video - his fish I think are the so called 'Holland' or 'Dutch' blue rams, incidentally.