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Hi FP, love your site

This is my very first tank. 25US gallons. Set up now nearly 6 weeks.

I've got 6 Danios and just put in 5 Ottos. All seem really happy. Water is slightly high pH due to our local tap water i.e. pH8 but this is the same as my lfs.

I really want to put in a pair of Kribs or Rams (the dwarf ones) or even both pairs! Can anyone tell me if all these are compatible or if I could be wanting to put in too many?

I think that a pair of rams would do nicely in the tank. These fish usually like lower pH water but if they are in a tank at your lfs at a pH of 8 then they will do just fine in your tank water too.

Having rams and kribs would be over doing the tank in my opinion. Are you aware of the cycling process that a new tank goes through? It is important to be aware of it because adding fish to a cycling tank can harm your fish. I will give you a link to information incase you do not know about it.

[link=http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp" style="COLOR: #004040[/link]

How long has the tank been setup with fish in it?

Good luck with the tank and enjoy the fish.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

i think its too early for the ottos to be there...they r sensitive to water conditions...specially urs was just set-up.

ruhoo

Whatever you do DO NOT put Blue Rams into your tank. A couple of reasons.

1. Blue rams will never survive in a newly established tank as Lindy has pointed out. They are extremely senstive to any changes in water quality, parameters, temp, other fish. They will simply not survive in your tank. They are also extremely e to internal parasites.

2. Kribs and rams should not be mixed. The kribs are much more aggressive and will basically stress the rams to death.


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Kribensis would be better in a higher ph than Rams, so i would add Kribensis & not Rams.

Just wait a bit more & make sure that the tank is cycled well, before adding more fish. The Ottos might suffer in a high ph.


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Otos can be somewhat sensitive, if you've never kept them before I recommend reading [link=this article]http://www.fishprofiles.com/articles/freshwater/oto.asp" style="COLOR: #FFCCCC[/link].

Otos like having company of their own kind, so you're on the right track with five. The potential problem that I see is running out of algae for them. Many people grow algae on rocks for their otos. Otos I've kept have also enjoyed eating things like spinach, lettuce, broccoli.

Both cichlid ideas you have are quite nice. Make sure your tank is cycled and water quality is good, then I'd personally recommend the rams. Kribs are fantastic fish as well, but if you want a M/F pair and they spawn there could be agression problems for the other fish in the tank.

Welcome to the site and feel free to ask as many questions as you find necessary

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

Because of the newness of the tank I would not put either in it yet, they would not survive. Should you decide to do put in more fish be aware you may have a 50% loss rate, that's what happened to my tank when I tried to rush things, and each time I added new fish I had the same loss rate. When the tank has settled down and is fully cycled I would suggest only keeping one type, Rams or Kribs, I keep my single krib in a community tank the same size and at a lower pH, 7.6, and she is doing fine, so at your pH I would say they both would do fine. If you are lucky enough to get a breeding pair I would not recommend having any other fish in the tank with them, they become very aggressive when they are breeding, and I understand this is true for all cichlids. Good Luck.

"If you're afraid you'll make a mistake, you won't make anything."
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Thanks for all of your comments. I really appreciate them. I want to get my tank right for all my fish to be happy.

My tank was cycling for 3 weeks before the danios went in and it was another two weeks before the otos. I check the water every couple of days for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, my reading are all 0 at the moment and have been since the danios went in. I also do a partial 15/20% weekly water change. I don't intend to put any more fish in for at least 3 / 4 weeks. Looking at your comments, would that length of time be sufficient to put in a ram pair or should I wait even longer? I will not get any kribs. (I will ensure that the rams I do get come from my lfs who have the same ph as me - they quarantine for 4 weeks before sale too so I will know the fish will be ok).

I wasn't aware that otos needed a longer cycled tank. Is there anything I can do to make sure they stay ok? They have nearly sorted my diatrom problem out and I already have put in a piece of cucumber for them. I will try broccoli next. Should I get some algae wafers too?

Sorry this reply is so long - I want to address most of your concerns as well as mine.

Thanks again guys for your replies. I have a lot to learn from your experiences.

3/4 weeks waiting before putting the rams in should be fine IMO. I also think its good that your lfs quarentines the fish as it means they are accustomed to the areas water before you get them.

For the ottos, just make sure that when the tank algae is gone that they have other food they can eat. You have mentioned you are giving them cucumber which is great. Other veges like broccoli and zucchini will be good for them too. I would also get a bottom feeders sinking tablet for them so ensure they are getting enough nutrients. Keep tabs on the nitrate as this is what ottos and most fish are very sensative to. Frequent water changes will ensure the nitrate is kept under control.

Dont be worried about asking any question you have on your mind, that is what we are here for and happy to help with.

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Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.