Ram Care

This may have been asked a million times before, but what parameters are best for a tank that woul house rams? I mean if one were to start up a new tank what size would be best for say 6 rams or so and maybe a school of tetras of some sort. What water paramaters are best for rams? Substrate and decor? I would like to start a tank someday for these as I thnk they are absolutely some of the coolest looking and acting fish I have seen.

 

For 6 Rams you'd need a pretty large tank, so every one has their own territory. I couldn't tell you how big though, but I'm sure some one else will come along that knows.

I have black gravel, and my GBR looks great over it. I also have a lot of plants and driftwood.

0 ammonia and nitrites, and very, very little nitrates, like less than 20. The lower the better. Driftwood and or peat will make the water how they like it, relatively soft (I think that's the word I'm looking for LOL).

 

First thing that you would need to know is that Rams will need a well established tank. As in established, I am meaning that the tank must be past the cycle for a few months with stable parameters. As far as decor, most of these creatures can be shy at first, but once they start getting used to the tank they will start to come out (So make sure to have some hiding spots). It doesn't matter what substrate you have as long as it doesn't effect the aquarium.

When keeping Rams, you will want to keep up the maintenance on the tank (a water change at least once a week) --- 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite, 5-20 Nitrates (Can be 0 if heavily planted) and a pH around 6.0 - 7.8 (Rams prefer more acidic water, but if acclimated right, they can do just fine in the regular aquarium pH). Why I say this is because Rams do not play nice with any trace of ammonia or nitrite (They are very sensitive to it - if you find any trace, do a water change immediately. Use Prime or Amquel+ if you can).

I have personally found Gold German Blue Rams and Bolivian Rams to be much more hardier than the regular old GBRs. I believe it's do to the constant breeding these days, making the fish less hardy and more sensitive. It's your choice on what you want to try. I have only had success with one GBR, but it was horrible quality (As in horrible color, I though it was a female when it was really a male). The other one I had (which only survived a month) was a beautiful male but died a unknown death (Every thing was fine in the tank). Now I have a GGBR and he's doing great!

 

I would like to start at least a 75 gallon and have rams but it sure sounds like they are very temperamental as far as water parameters. Are they mostly bottom to mid-level dwellers?

 

They mostly hang around the bottom to middle.

 

Hello there,

Rams usually inhabit the bottom of the surface.

Also, they seem to have a reputation for being sensitive and dying out of nowhere. IMO however if you can get them in a well-established tank and keep them alive for the first two months, they really start to shine and become personal. I've been keeping mine alive for the past year and a half now.

As for water parameters, 0 ammonia and nitrites, <20-40 ppm nitrates, and pH is fine so long as it's not too hard. Been keeping mine in 7.6 pH w/o any adjustments.

 

Rams like slightly acidic water, and cannot tolerate nitrites or ammonia. For 6, I would do a at least a 55 gallon, although it would be better to have a bigger tank. Rams also need plants, and caves to hide out in. I've had mine for almost a month now, and they're doing great. Good luck if you decide to get rams!