Blue Ram Cant Seem to Get Off the Bottom

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Are y'all considering purchasing a centerpiece fish for your aquarium? Are you lot looking for a fish that is tropical and eye-catching? The High german Blue Ram Cichlid is a species that demands pristine water, only it rewards its owner with interesting behavior and a beautiful view. To keep a Blueish Ram, you demand to create the proper tank environment. Then, you must practice regular tank maintenance with an understanding as to the unique requirements of a Blue Ram.

1. ane

   Know your fish. If you are unfamiliar with the details of the breed, practice some research online by typing "German Blue Ram Cichlids" into a search engine. You lot will see a number of aquarium center websites and hobbyist blogs describing the detailed characteristics of Rams. They are an Amazonian fish, so many of the sites might describe how to create an "Amazon" freshwater tank.

   • Blue Rams grow to an adult size of two–3 inches (5.1–7.half-dozen cm) and take a life expectancy of between 2-3 years. This means that you should consider these fish as an extended delivery of care.
   • The males of the species can exist identified by their more pronounced dorsal fine. The females have additional coloring on the 'false centre' mid-body. Females will have a pinkish stomach, and this is almost always noticeable. Females are usually also slightly smaller.^[1]

2. 2

   Purchase your cichlids. Make sure to buy or 'prefer' your Blue Rams from a reputable online or brick-and-mortar fish dealer. Cull a store that you have worked with before or that you've researched online. If y'all take friend who besides has a tank, enquire for their advice regarding expert places to purchase.

   • Some fish dealers breed Blueish Rams en masse for sale purposes. These fish are heavily treated with hormones, making them less suitable for breeding and lowering their life span. Be wary of 'inexpensive' Blue Rams. Buy from private breeders. ^[two]

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3. iii

   Complete a tank "bike." Before you put your Blue Rams in your tank, y'all must prepare the h2o. Blue Rams are especially picky almost h2o parameters. The nitrogen bicycle is extremely of import, and doesn't happen overnight. Your tank needs to build upwards enough nitrifying bacteria to break downwards fish waste. The article on How to Bike a Fish Tank tin can aid.

4. four

   Acclimatize your cichlids to your tank. Place your Blue Rams in their plastic bag directly in the h2o at the elevation of your aquarium. Let them sit in the bag for 15-30 minutes. When this time is up, open the elevation of the bag simply a scrap. Permit a little tank water into the bag. Echo this process every 3-5 minutes for another one-half-hr. So, open the pocketbook fully, internet your cichlids and place them in the tank.^[3]

5. v

   Watch them closely. For the first xx-iv hours especially, continue a close eye on your new additions. Detect how they interact with the other fish. Try to see if they experience any difficulties navigating amidst the plant life. Monitor their physical behaviors and appearance. If one of your cichlids appears listless or sickly, remove it quickly equally information technology may spread infection to the rest of the tank.^[4]

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1. i

   Select the proper tank size. A pair of Bluish Rams volition do all-time in a tank that is at least 10 gallons. If yous add other fish or other cichlid pairs, then you'll demand to become upwardly to at least xx gallons. Disregard everything you lot've heard about the one gallon of water per inch of fish rule, it'southward just outdated and extremely flawed.^[five]

   • Remember that German Blue Ram Cichlids can abound to be 2–3 inches (5.1–seven.6 cm) at maturity.
   • Overcrowding is not a problem to be taken lightly. It can stress your fish out, making them more prone to illness. It tin can also lead to increased aggressiveness and even starvation.

2. 2

   Install the proper heater, hood, and low-cal. Rams are accustomed to the tropical waters of Venezuela and Republic of colombia, right near the equator. The areas they occupy are shallow with minimal cover, and they require consequent water temperatures of at least 80 degrees, with 82-86 being optimal. A heater can be used to regulate your tanks temperature. An aquarium low-cal improves tank visibility. Many people choose to purchase an aquarium hood that includes a built-in low-cal and heater.

   • Whatsoever lighting setup you lot choose, German Blue Ram Cichlids do best with low-cal during the daytime. six-eight hours of light a day is plenty; whatsoever more than that and you may come across algae problems.

3. 3

   Add substrate. This is the base of operations material that covers the floor of your tank. Blue Rams prefer sand or gravel, as they mirror a Ram's natural habitat. Make certain to rinse your substrate out before adding, otherwise it will brand your tank appear murky. Add at least 2 inches (5.ane cm) of sand or gravel at the bottom of the tank and spread it out evenly.^[six]

4. 4

   Provide ample and advisable tank decorations. Blueish Rams do best in a complex habitat with a number of good hiding spaces. Exist sure to include plants, rocks, caves, and driftwood in your tank. These items will brand water changes more of a hassle, but volition improve the wellness of your cichlids in the long term.

   • Place larger plants on the outer perimeter of the tank. Make sure to exit swimming space in between and an open surface area in the middle of the tank. The Dwarf Amazon Sword and Brazilian Water Ivy are two plants that Blue Rams enjoy.^[seven]
   • A good option of driftwood pieces can assistance regulate the pH level, provide great hiding spaces, and serve every bit a establish anchor. Make sure to buy your driftwood from a pet store, as this will ensure that is safe for aquarium use. You may detect some water yellowing later on adding driftwood, this is perfectly normal and can exist remedied via regular water changes.^[8]

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1. 1

   Find suitable tank mates. Look for species that are categorized equally non-aggressive. Tetras, Corys, and even some other types of Cichlids can coexist peacefully with Bluish Rams. Y'all will want to closely observe the interactions between various fish species to make sure that all parties are doing okay.

   • Pay special attention to meal times as Blueish Rams are leisurely eaters. Other ambitious eaters may swallow all of the food, leaving only scraps for the Rams. This can cause starvation if non monitored and corrected.^[9]
   • Male Blueish Rams can become ambitious with ane another if y'all don't carefully command population numbers. Try to proceed a ratio of one male for every three females. And, think to up the tank size if you lot increment the number of fish.^[10]

2. 2

   Feed them the correct foods on the correct schedule. German Blue Ram Cichlids are omnivores, significant that they eat both meats and vegetables. Feed them twice a solar day, as much nutrient as they can consume in two minutes. Flakes and pellets work well, as exercise frozen options such equally brine shrimp.^[eleven]

   • Supplement their diet with fresh veggies, such as minor pieces of spinach or romaine lettuce. These can be dropped directly in the tank and the leftovers removed with a net, if needed.
   • Be aware that some Blue Rams will not eat well after beingness transferred to a new environs. Effort to encourage eating by offering delicacies such every bit musquito larvae.^[12]

3. 3

   Make your tank suitable for breeding. If you want your Blue Rams to breed, it is best to starting time with a group of 6-eight juveniles of both sexes. Proceed a close eye on the water weather condition and provide lots of rocky terrain and let nature accept its course.^[13]

   • Exist enlightened that your newly mated couples might lose a batch or two. This is nothing to worry virtually and they will eventually figure out how to successfully breed. They may besides eat some the eggs from these initial batches.^[14]
   • After you spot the eggs, you can either leave them in their current tank or remove them to a 10-gallon aquarium. If you remove them, make sure to expect 24-hours to ensure fertilization.^[15]

4. 4

   Test the h2o regularly. Blue Rams are notoriously picky near h2o quality. Readings that would exist acceptable for nigh freshwater fish can cause a Blue Ram to go ill. A water testing kit will contain everything that you demand to monitor the water parameters. Blue Rams require a pH of between 5.five-7.v.

   • Practice not chase your PH; the general and carbonate hardness of your water is much more important. Rams do best with a full general and carbonate hardness of 100 ppm or lower. If your hardness is correct, your PH volition follow. Artificially changing PH is not the way to solve this. If your water is difficult, you should mix your tap water with reverse osmosis h2o, or consider keeping different fish.
   • Keep an eye on the readings of Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates. Ammonia and Nitrites should be 0 at all times, while Nitrates should be kept nether xx ppm. Otherwise, a Blue Ram can essentially be poisoned past its own carrion.^[sixteen]

5. five

   Commit to frequent water changes. To continue your tank up to Blueish Ram standards, you need to do a 25% water change on a bi-daily or twice-weekly basis. Use this as an opportunity to clean your tank surfaces as well. You tin can suction out the debris from the rocks, etc.

6. 6

   Answer to any concerns immediately. Blue Rams are by and large quite healthy, merely they can succumb to certain diseases and parasites. Ich is a parasite that can casualty on Blue Rams. You will find your fish acting listless if it is affected. Respond speedily with a tailored chemic treatment. Poorly bred Rams are notorious for suddenly getting emaciated and dying. If this happens with no other fish affected and ample h2o conditions, consider a dissimilar source of Rams. ^[17]

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• Make certain to go on your Blue Rams in pairs at least. Otherwise, they volition grow overly shy and spend their time hiding in caves.

• German language Bluish Ram Cichlids refer to a very specific strain of Rams that are produced in Deutschland. Normal Blue Rams are what you lot will probable be getting.

• Invest in a reverse osmosis unit.

• If you want to breed Rams, offer smooth, flat surfaces to lay their eggs on. A temperature of 84F is prime breeding temperature.

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• Be aware that German Blue Ram Cichlids are not a beginner fish. They can be a challenge even for skilled hobbyists.

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Things You'll Need

• German language Bluish Ram Cichlids
• Other compatible freshwater fish
• Aquarium
• Filter
• Lighting
• Heater
• Gravel, Rocks, and Sand
• Decorations: Plants, Caves, and Driftwood
• Water Conditioner
• Net
• Gravel siphon
• Fish food
• Algae pad
• Clean bucket
• Water test kit
• Paper towels or cotton cloth

About This Article

Article Summary 10

To keep High german blue ram cichlids, proceed them in a tank that holds at least 10 gallons of h2o, and install a heater in the tank since German blue ram cichlids prefer h2o that's betwixt 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also line the lesser of the tank with sand or gravel and add plenty of plants, rocks, and caves for your fish to hide in. To feed your cichlids, give them every bit many flakes or pellets every bit they tin eat in 2 minutes twice a twenty-four hours. For more tips from our Veterinary co-writer, like how to notice suitable tank mates for your cichlids, read on!

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