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I have a 160 litre tank that has been humming along for some time now. At the moment I have: 1 angelfish, 1 blue gourami, 1 lace gourami, 8 rummy nose tetra, 4 albino cories, 3 siamese aglae eaters, and 1 sucking catfish. I have an external filter and many plants.

I was thinking of adding a pair of ram cichlids. Is this a good idea. Am i overstocked?

Thanks

Id loose the angel, or stock up on them...but tank size dosnt really permit for that.
Without the Angel it wouldnt be a bad setup, and the rams should be fine providing your pH is around 6 ish.

so the rams & the angel don't get on, is that right. hmm.

I believe Mez is referring to how Angels prefer to be in groups, not that they do not get along with rams.

You are approaching being overstocked if you add too many more fish. My gut is that rams would not put too much strain on the system biologically speaking. Beware, however, that a pair of rams will be aggressive when they breed.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Maybe i should get rid of the angelfish. he tends to chase the gouramis a bit which distresses them i think.

Another thing about the Angels is that when they come to breeding size apparently they release a natural slime on their body, I believe this is to attract a mate. Not only does it attract a mate it attracts the SAE who will clean this coating off them and naturally it kills them.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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oh boy. sounds like the angel fish might go. i can't imagine the SAEs catching the angel coz the angel will give them a piece of his mind.

Sucking catfish as in Chinese Algae Eater or as in Bristlenose?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

sucking catfish? i don't know what type actually. its about 4cm, orange/yellow thing with BIG eyes.

it appears to be a SAE if its yellowish

It'll be a golden CAE, they trade as sucking cats.

They do have a (deserved) reputation for sucking at other fish, particularly flattish ones like angels and gouramies. Keep an eye on him as he gets bigger and if you catch him doing that you may need to consider rehoming him

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

what is the difference between the too.jw

This is an SAE (siamese algae eater)
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/395.htm

This is a CAE (chinese algae eater)
http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/638.htm
http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/gallery.aspx?id=638 (gold)

The SAE are more peaceful and eat a wide variety of algae,but often get mixed up with flying foxes so do check your stripes

The CAE will start to lose its appetite for algae as it grows and most tend to like more meaty foods. They also aren't all that great with personal space so get a bit troublesome in a well-stocked/overstocked aquarium. I do like them, but they should come with a warning about not playing nice with others when it grows up.

If it isn't currently an issue, leave it, but just keep an eye out for antisocial behaviour.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I have 3 siamese (I bought to combat a hairy algae problem), but i like them anyways. I think they r as they have the stripe all the way though their tail and one set of wiskers.

And one of the chinese.

The black hairy algae problem i think was mainly solved now due to "flourish excel".

ok so is was a CAE that i once had