Bolivian Ram Tankmates

[Winged]

I have 3 Bolivian rams in my 45 gallon tank. Two of them are pretty active and tend to stay together. I think those two are a male/female pair. My third is much shier and stays hidden most of the time. While the other two are now showing pretty nice colour, the other one is still pretty pale. I think this third one is a female. I'm wondering if she would do better if I were to move her to a different tank, one where she would be the only ram. The tank I'm considering moving her to is my 20 gallon. Currently, I have 6 ember tetras, 7 pygmy cory cats, and 1 sparkling gourami.

Would my ram be compatible with these fish? And would a 20 gallon be big enough for her? Also, if I were to add her to the 20 gallon with my other fish, would that tank be overstocked?

 

[tekonus]

My bolivian ram tends to push my corys around when they are snatching up the easy food. Just figured I'd throw that out there.

 

[majortank]

My bolivian also pushes around my cories... But I haven't found it to be much of a problem. I would only worry if the gourami is aggressive... Otherwise sounds like it would be a good fit.

 

[bazil323]

Ditto. I would definitely move her out of the 45g if it looks like the other 2 have paired up. She will likely get bullied, which may be why she is not coloring up so much (also that she is not paired up would explain it).

 

[noodles62]

If the other two have paired up and their color is intensified, they are most likely getting ready to spawn, in which case they will harass her even more as they protect their eggs.fry. Best to move her and keep her safe. Just make sure she gets her share of food as corys are fast little piggies!

 

[ChrisK]

I have mine in a community tank with assorted tetras, corys,and angels

 

[Winged]

Correction--I have two males, one female.

I suppose the other two pairing up would also explain why he hides a lot too, wouldn't it?

Would adding another female help the situation or make it worse? I had originally planned on getting two males, two females, but the guy at the LFS was having trouble catching the last one and I didn't want him to stress the fish too much.

 

[jpappy789]

Exactly, I personally wouldn't do a second pair given the floor space for territories. But I suppose it could work.

 

[Winged]

I spent quite a bit of time in front of the tank today, and now I'm really unsure on whether I have two males and one female, or three males. I think I definitely have at least two males--they seemed to be fighting a bit today and flaring at each other. One has much better colour--the one I thought was a male from the beginning (the male of the pair, which doesn't seem to actually be a pair)--and he seems to be the dominant one. I think the third one is either a female or a very submissive male that the other two don't consider a threat. I will move the lesser of the two males to my 20 gallon tomorrow.

 

[BoCoMo]

Correction--I have two males, one female.

I suppose the other two pairing up would also explain why he hides a lot too, wouldn't it?

Would adding another female help the situation or make it worse? I had originally planned on getting two males, two females, but the guy at the LFS was having trouble catching the last one and I didn't want him to stress the fish too much.

That explains it!