[latchdan]

I have a 40 breeder that needs stocking. It's had just a couple fish in it for a while and I couldn't decide what to add.
I was thinking of german blue rams but worried at the temps needed. Will plants be okay over 80 degrees? What else would be okay in this temp?
Plants I have are
Riccia
Christmas moss
Flamingo crypt
Some buce
Wisteria
Java fern
Golden anubias
Narrow leaf hydro
Rotala Rotundifolia
Mini pellia
Glosso
S.repens
Monte carlo
And some others I'm missing.
Current fish
2 harlequin rasbora's
2 Celestial Pearl Danio

Tank parameters currently
77 degrees
4 gh 4 kh
Nitrate 10

 

[MissCris]

I think German rams might need it too hot for your other plants and fish, though I did manage to keep mine at 80 so they could live in a planted community tank.

Have you considered other dwarf cichlids like apistos, kribs or Bolivian rams? They seem to do better at regular community temperatures.

 

[latchdan]

I think German rams might need it too hot for your other plants and fish, though I did manage to keep mine at 80 so they could live in a planted community tank.

Have you considered other dwarf cichlids like apistos, kribs or Bolivian rams? They seem to do better at regular community temperatures.

Yeah was thinking it might be too hot. I'm looking for something that won't hide too much. I had a pearl gourmai before and it was always hidden, then 1 day disappeared never found a body.

 

[MissCris]

Yeah was thinking it might be too hot. I'm looking for something that won't hide too much. I had a pearl gourmai before and it was always hidden, then 1 day disappeared never found a body.

If you get a single kribensis (to avoid the agressive behavior associated with spawning pairs), you will see it a lot once it settles in. Mine were always front and center when I came into the room, especially once they realized I was the bringer of food. They do need some hiding places to feel safe, but after a week or two they will be confident enough to hang out in the open most of the time.

My apistos were about 50/50. Some were pretty bold, but others liked to hide out a lot. If you see them shamelessly patrolling the tank in the pet shop, it's a good bet they won't be timid at home.

The Bolivian rams were probably the most shy. They are actually really stunning fish once they mature, but I rarely ever saw mine except at dinner. They do seem more comfortable though in a tank with lots of small, peaceful fish, as they were more active in a community than when I kept them by themselves.

 

[latchdan]

If you get a single kribensis (to avoid the agressive behavior associated with spawning pairs), you will see it a lot once it settles in. Mine were always front and center when I came into the room, especially once they realized I was the bringer of food. They do need some hiding places to feel safe, but after a week or two they will be confident enough to hang out in the open most of the time.

My apistos were about 50/50. Some were pretty bold, but others liked to hide out a lot. If you see them shamelessly patrolling the tank in the pet shop, it's a good bet they won't be timid at home.

The Bolivian rams were probably the most shy. They are actually really stunning fish once they mature, but I rarely ever saw mine except at dinner. They do seem more comfortable though in a tank with lots of small, peaceful fish, as they were more active in a community than when I kept them by themselves.

Okay I'll look into those. The fish stores in my area have a terrible selection, So I may have to buy online.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Okay I'll look into those. The fish stores in my area have a terrible selection, So I may have to buy online.

San Miguel? There is the Fairy Lake Discus Store in San Francisco. I realize it's somewhat far, but it's rather iconic. I imagine Henry Chan is retired by now, so who knows if it's the same.

 

[latchdan]

San Miguel? There is the Fairy Lake Discus Store in San Francisco. I realize it's somewhat far, but it's rather iconic. I imagine Henry Chan is retired by now, so who knows if it's the same.

San Francisco is like 4+ hour drive 😬
If I'm ever traveling up there I'll have to look into it.

 

[MissCris]

I've seen apisogramma agassizi at some of the large chain shops, and petsmart carries Bolivian rams all the time (petco has them sometimes).

If you were closer inland I'd tell you to head to Bakersfield (but that's like almost 2 hours still to drive from San Miguel). We have 2 reasonably good LFS that have a decent selection most of the time, and I know at least one has apistos (both agassizi & albinos that I think are caucatoides but didn't ask) and kribs in stock now, or they did a couple days ago anyway, and the other is kinda known for being the best place to get cichlids in the area (owner is a long-time cichlid breeder).

Have you checked to see if there's anything at the shop in SLO? That's a lot closer to where you are.

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

San Francisco is like 4+ hour drive 😬

Ah sorry.... I had San Rafael in my head.....