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I was just wondering if you guys could tell me everything I need to know about keeping bolivian rams. They are at my LFS labeled as ruby cichlid, which, according to the profile section, I guess is the same species. I would be putting them in a 55 gallon after the tank has cycled. How many is a good number? Temperment? Temperature? where they tend to swim? Any info would be super appreciated! TIA
Jen

. How many is a good number?

if you want to breed them id say 8-10 if not get 4 donnot get an odd # cause they may pair up and kill the last one.

Temperment?

Fairly peaceful except when breeding.

Temperature?

any where around 74-80F. will do fine

where they tend to swim?

Id have to say all mine where quite active but spent most of the time near the middle.

Actually, Bolivian rams tend to hang out near the bottom. They are like German rams in that respect. A temperature of 76 degrees is perfectly fine, they are very peaceful for cichlids, good community fish, blah blah blah. If you want to keep them in a tank with other fish, then I'd suggest two pairs of them. They won't bother most tankmates, but they seem to do best in pairs. As for diet, they will do fine on a normal fish diet. Give them a staple cichlid food or something for most meals, and feed a treat (like live or frozen foods) occasionally. That will keep them happy. The Bolivian ram is tougher (in terms of hardiness) than its relative the German ram, and are easy to care for. They really are great fish, you're lucky to be able to buy some!

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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 reading up about these recently. If i had a smaller tank in need of stock I would definitely go with these guys.

Lucky you...good luck for your set up!



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~~~ My fish blow kisses at me all day long ~~~

Everyone here is pretty much dead on accurate. The only thing I would add is that yes they do tend to hang out at the bottom. Because of this you will want to take care to make sure thy are eating. Mine would rather starve to death than leave the bottom of the tank. I found that sinking cichlid pellets work great for getting food down to them. You can also supplement their food with some flake. But instead of just dropping on the top of the water, actually sink the pink of flake into the water before letting it go. This will cause it to sink to the bottom.

I have four, and they are delightful. They stay mostly in the bottom half of the tank, but not all the way on the bottom. They come up near the top at feeding time and eat everything including flakes, although mine especially relish frozen bloodworms. This is a great, peaceful fish with lots of personality.

Bill