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Hello,

I have bought my first couple of rams yesterday and I'm a little confused about their behaviour, so I hope someone with more experience might be able to help me.

The problem is that the male ram sometimes chases the female ram around. It doesn't look like courting to me, but he doesn't really hurt her, it seems to me as if he doesn't like her being around him. Usually, the male swims alone and then the female joins him, but most of the times when she does, the male chases her away. Sometimes they do seem to get along, swimming together, so I am not sure if he is bullying her or whether it's how they court.

When I bought the owner took the time to find a couple for me (rather than just any male and female). I also know that they were bred in either the Czech Republic or the Netherlands, but not Asia. I have also read that they should be slowly acclimatised and that they are very sensitive to changes, so I spent over two hours acclimatising them as my pH is 6.8 and the store's is 7.4. In other words, I don't think it's a health problem (they look good, fins erected, eating) or stress (my other fish are compatible, the rams are swimming around and don't seem to mind the other fish at all).

Any insight into why it happens will be very appreciated.

Thanks!

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Last edited by untitled at 18-Dec-2004 04:41

It is courtship, the male has to show the female that he is the big fish on the block, if he wants the female to breed with him. It is normal behavior.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Yup, the male is just (for now) showing the female who's boss. You shouldn't worry about it, unless things get nasty.

The other stuff you heard was pretty much correct. Rams can be sensitive during acclimation, and should be cared for especially well during their first couple of weeks in a new tank.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Thanks to both of you. I thought it might be it, but I wanted to make sure.

what's the best size tank for a pair of rams?

A 10 gal is fine for a pair. Just make sure you have some caves and whatnot. The more hiding places they have the more secure with being in the open they are. Keep in mind in a small tank like that things can get ugly for any other fish if they decide to breed.

I currently have 9 in a 40 gal cube that is densely planted, they are out all the time and almost school together at times. I have seen very little aggression with them.

Last edited by Booger at 03-Jan-2005 23:43

Ten gallons is okay for a pair, but fifteen or more would be better. With a pair of rams in a ten gallon, you wouldn't really be able to add many more fish. The two rams would take up all the space, especially if they were a breeding pair.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I was contemplating a pair of these for an eventual 125g planted tank. However, is this species more biased towards lower pH? Many fish that thrive in lower pH do ok in my 7.7-7.8 pH, but I know some don't. There were german rams in a fish store near me and they were doing fine in those tank which had the same pH as mine. But those are more hardy, no?

Also, what is the common name for this one? I'm not too good with the scientific names *looks down sheepishly*.

These are German or blue rams. They do prefer a lower pH, but I had one that was happy in my tank, which has a pH of about 8.0. I can't guarantee that all German rams will live in such a pH though, because they tend to be somewhat delicate. The major problem with these cichlids is that they do not acclimate as easily as other species, including their Bolivian ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosa) cousins.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Common names include german ram and blue ram. not very hardy but thats more about quality and swings in PH. im sure your tank is well maintained and stable. i wouldnt worry to much cory you should be ok.

you could wait and see if ya like ill be puttin a couple pairs in my 75g soon. i have 7.6ph.