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I did some rearranging today and set up a 20 long for Blue Rams. I've got 2 pairs, I say pairs but they have yet to breed, I have 2 males and 2 females that I paired and put in different tanks. I wanted to give them a chance to breed without being bothered by nosey, predatory neighbors.

I put both pairs in and the males started their I'm better, bigger, and badder dance. I thouoght that might happen so I sat and watched and they started actual combat. They were nipping at sides and ramming so I pulled one pair out.

So my question is, Is 2 pair 1 pair too many in a 20 long?

Should I set up 2 10s and give them each their own tank or would they eventually make peace and both of them breed in the 20?

Thanks, Mike

How long did you leave them in there sparring? I've seen this before with other dwarf cichlids, and if I had 2 pairs, it usually stops within a day or two and relations normalize as territories are established. Maybe blue rams are different, though...

Eric

I started out the same way with my rams, two 'unpaired' pairs. The two that paired up and bred eventually killed the other two. 20long is good, but only one breeding pair. also, a 10gal would be ok for one pair.

Thanks, for the replies. I've got hte next 2 days off so I think I'll try it again.

Maybe I'll put a target fish or two in with them.

Thanks, Mike