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I had a 55 gallon tank with 1 ram in it and decided to get another ram to put in with him. The ram I got was slightly smaller, and his colors were brighter. The bigger one whos been in the 55gallon nips at the new one and follows him around. Any suggestions for a solution?

Rams are territorial, and the original one might have made the entire bottom half of the tank his.

This behavior is normal with most cichlids. Even tho rams are very peaceful they will bicker with each other from time to time. They might just be establishing a pecking order.

If it continues for more than a couple of days you should rearrange the tank. If that doesn't help, pull the original out and bag him. Rearrange the tank and introduce him to it like it is his "new" home.

Also make sure the tank has plenty of plants and large rocks to break up their site of each other and it will give them markers that they can base their territory on.

HTH

thanks for the help all, the tank is heavily planted so the smaller one can find hiding places, so if it goes on for more then a couple days I should re-arrange the tank and reintroduce the dominant one back into the tank. got it. it doesnt look like hes taking any damage but ill still make sure to keep an eye on them, thanks alot for the helP!.

Can the Rams be a male and female? If thats the case, then you don't have to worry about it. My Bolivian Ram couple show "poking" and sometimes chasing behavior. Although it does look like nipping, its harmless.

That would explain why the ram are constanly following each other around.

I re-arranged the tank and he still seems to nip the other ram, It doesnt look like its hurting him/her so I dont think I have to worry. If I start to see torn up fins, ill take more action, thanks for the help all.

Are you certain that they are 2 males?

I think one might be a female, its only gotten worse, the abused one has ripped and torn fins. What other things can I do to stop this from happening? please help.