Bolivian vs. German Ram - Page 2

Bill109 · 05-08-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

here is a crappy picture of one of my male Bolivians I just took real quick.

how do you get it so colorful?
are the ones bred more colorful then wild like if i just picked one up from a lfs? i dont have anyone around here tht will breed them..
but they look really good i am going to try and get a hold of one of them..
when i buy 2 maybe, will they be seperted male and female? or all ogether and just ask for one of each?

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valerietheangel · 05-08-2008, 10:58 PM

I have had a bolivian for 4 years now and he is one of my all time favorite fish. His mate died of a tumor about two years ago and since then he has been less aggressive and much more fun to interact with. The first time the pair tried to breed though they attacked my then 12" long common pleco and alternated attacking his head and tail until he got fed up and buried their nesting site with a layer of gravel.

As for purchasing, when looking at a tank full of ANY kind of cichlid at a petstore I try to identify a pair in the tank myself instead of asking an employee to sex two at random (but maybe I'm just that way

) Look for two displaying to each other or defending a small territory in the store tank (a lot of pairs will take up residence in the corners of bare tanks). This IME has been the best way to get a compatible pair that will breed later on (the hard part is just keeping your eye on both of them as they're being netted).

Bill109 · 05-08-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valerietheangel

I have had a bolivian for 4 years now and he is one of my all time favorite fish. His mate died of a tumor about two years ago and since then he has been less aggressive and much more fun to interact with. The first time the pair tried to breed though they attacked my then 12" long common pleco and alternated attacking his head and tail until he got fed up and buried their nesting site with a layer of gravel.

As for purchasing, when looking at a tank full of ANY kind of cichlid at a petstore I try to identify a pair in the tank myself instead of asking an employee to sex two at random (but maybe I'm just that way

) Look for two displaying to each other or defending a small territory in the store tank (a lot of pairs will take up residence in the corners of bare tanks). This IME has been the best way to get a compatible pair that will breed later on (the hard part is just keeping your eye on both of them as they're being netted).

this is true, the only thing im worried is if they breed, they may become to territorial for a 20 long tank with other tetras..

valerietheangel · 05-09-2008, 03:09 AM

Mine were in a 55 and they were DEFINITELY territorial.

Bill109 · 05-09-2008, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valerietheangel

Mine were in a 55 and they were DEFINITELY territorial.

all the time? or just during breeding? i dont see how they can be territorial when compatible with tetras..
but maybe im wrong.

OhioDave · 05-09-2008, 03:20 AM

I have 3 pairs of Bolivians. They get a little testy during breeding time but they never killed any of my fish, tetras included. Mine are actually quite docile.

**lauraleellbp** · 05-09-2008, 03:28 AM

I think it will likely end up on the individual fish. Tetras tend to stay more in the middle water column so are a bit less likely to be seen as a thread than other bottom-dwellers like plecos, but you may or may not have issues... perhaps just have a plan "B" in case aggression turns out to be an issue?

Bill109 · 05-09-2008, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

I think it will likely end up on the individual fish. Tetras tend to stay more in the middle water column so are a bit less likely to be seen as a thread than other bottom-dwellers like plecos, but you may or may not have issues... perhaps just have a plan "B" in case aggression turns out to be an issue?

sounds good.. would u reccomend 1 or 2?
i would like a few other fish so im guessing one?

thanks..
have a great night

**lauraleellbp** · 05-09-2008, 03:36 AM

You mean one or two rams?

In a 20gal if your goal is a community tank I'd probably stick with just one. To be on the safe side...

macclellan · 05-09-2008, 04:39 AM

Get a pair. They'll chase the tetras around breeding time, but tetras are quick.

**Torpedobarb** · 05-09-2008, 04:43 AM

I have 2 apisto borelli in my tank.. they are awesome!

I also have 2 gbr's! really colorful

Rev2eight · 05-09-2008, 06:21 AM

Ive gotten 3 different GBRs from a lfs and non of them lasted over a month. I finally gave up and bought one from a local breeder. These are actually pretty hardy fishes when their arent pumped full of hormones

valerietheangel · 05-09-2008, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill109

all the time? or just during breeding? i dont see how they can be territorial when compatible with tetras..
but maybe im wrong.

During breeding they were pretty aggressive and other than that they maintained a small area in one of the corners. They never bothered fish that stayed up in the water column (I had barbs and black skirt tetras at the time) but they hated the pleco. The male is now fine with the pleco since his mate died and is very peaceful and active. He has gorgeous colors and is as personable as a fish ever gets. For your 20 I would probably go with one and maybe try to get a male? My male was always much more brightly colored than the female.

**Orlando** · 05-09-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill109

how do you get it so colorful?
are the ones bred more colorful then wild like if i just picked one up from a lfs? i dont have anyone around here tht will breed them..
but they look really good i am going to try and get a hold of one of them..
when i buy 2 maybe, will they be seperted male and female? or all ogether and just ask for one of each?

I feed them live foods, and I make my own pellets. They love them

stargate_geek · 05-10-2008, 02:05 AM

I have a female Bolivian and she's my favorite fish. She comes to the tank front to watch me and beg for food. She's very cute and is always exploring and playing tag with the cories (even if she confuses them when she hides behind something.) So I vote Bolivian

I, however, don't have experience with German Blues. I tried to get one, but they had both in the same tank at the store and they netted the wrong one...

View Poll Results: Bolivian or German ram
German Ram	27	71.05%
Bolivian Ram	11	28.95%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

05-09-2008, 03:28 AM	#22 (permalink)
lauraleellbp Fresh Fish Freak (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 4,170	I think it will likely end up on the individual fish. Tetras tend to stay more in the middle water column so are a bit less likely to be seen as a thread than other bottom-dwellers like plecos, but you may or may not have issues... perhaps just have a plan "B" in case aggression turns out to be an issue? __________________ Laura Lee; 10gal planted RCS colony, 46gal FW community w/ el plasticos, 90gal FW planted in progress- see my journal at http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewto...p?f=82&t=23207

05-09-2008, 03:36 AM	#24 (permalink)
lauraleellbp Fresh Fish Freak (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 4,170	You mean one or two rams? In a 20gal if your goal is a community tank I'd probably stick with just one. To be on the safe side... __________________ Laura Lee; 10gal planted RCS colony, 46gal FW community w/ el plasticos, 90gal FW planted in progress- see my journal at http://forums.tfhmagazine.com/viewto...p?f=82&t=23207

05-09-2008, 04:39 AM	#25 (permalink)
macclellan Shrimpimp (View User Tanks) PTrader: (71) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 1,218	Get a pair. They'll chase the tetras around breeding time, but tetras are quick. __________________ Sign up for a no-fee Paypal alternative here - you get $25 free and I get $10! Riccia is just duckweed for yuppies. Filstar Pimp numero 89! Hey, look, no stupid dragon eggs in my sig!

05-09-2008, 04:43 AM	#26 (permalink)
Torpedobarb It's a Hobby.. Not a Job! (View User Tanks) PTrader: (16) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 583	I have 2 apisto borelli in my tank.. they are awesome! I also have 2 gbr's! really colorful __________________ 75 Gallon Planted Tank. Live Plants.too many to list Fish..Tetras Filstar Pimp #136 75 Gallon Planted Tank Journal Click Here My TankClick Here

05-08-2008, 10:58 PM	#17 (permalink)
valerietheangel Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 111	I have had a bolivian for 4 years now and he is one of my all time favorite fish. His mate died of a tumor about two years ago and since then he has been less aggressive and much more fun to interact with. The first time the pair tried to breed though they attacked my then 12" long common pleco and alternated attacking his head and tail until he got fed up and buried their nesting site with a layer of gravel. As for purchasing, when looking at a tank full of ANY kind of cichlid at a petstore I try to identify a pair in the tank myself instead of asking an employee to sex two at random (but maybe I'm just that way ) Look for two displaying to each other or defending a small territory in the store tank (a lot of pairs will take up residence in the corners of bare tanks). This IME has been the best way to get a compatible pair that will breed later on (the hard part is just keeping your eye on both of them as they're being netted).

05-09-2008, 03:09 AM	#19 (permalink)
valerietheangel Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: O'Fallon, MO Posts: 111	Mine were in a 55 and they were DEFINITELY territorial.

05-09-2008, 03:20 AM	#21 (permalink)
OhioDave Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (9) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Xenia,Ohio Posts: 66	I have 3 pairs of Bolivians. They get a little testy during breeding time but they never killed any of my fish, tetras included. Mine are actually quite docile.

05-09-2008, 06:21 AM	#27 (permalink)
Rev2eight Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 23	Ive gotten 3 different GBRs from a lfs and non of them lasted over a month. I finally gave up and bought one from a local breeder. These are actually pretty hardy fishes when their arent pumped full of hormones

05-10-2008, 02:05 AM	#30 (permalink)
stargate_geek Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: MA, USA Posts: 94	I have a female Bolivian and she's my favorite fish. She comes to the tank front to watch me and beg for food. She's very cute and is always exploring and playing tag with the cories (even if she confuses them when she hides behind something.) So I vote Bolivian I, however, don't have experience with German Blues. I tried to get one, but they had both in the same tank at the store and they netted the wrong one...