German Blue Rams

[Romft]

Hello,
Again after advice…

Re German Blue Rams.
What would be the minimum sized aquarium you could house a pair of rams in, with just a few Otto’s and a few cardinals.
Would a 57 litre tank be considered too small ?

Thanks
Jamie

[black ghost]

The tank size is about minimum for a pair of Blue Rams but they need a higher temperature than Otos. Otos should be kept in the 70s, preferably the middle 70s, whereas Blue Rams really need at least 80, long term.

German Blue Rams were a strain that doesn’t exist anymore, but the name now gets applied to all Blue Rams.

[Romft]

Hi,
Many thanks for the information.
What would you suggest as a clean up crew ?

Thanks

[Martinspuddle]

What would you suggest as a clean up crew ?

Nerite Snails and Amano Shrimps (Caridina multidentata) but make sure the Shrimp have plenty of foliage cover.

Neocaridina Shrimp can be kept but caution needed with Mikrogeophagus ramirezi.

[black ghost]

Hi,
Many thanks for the information.
What would you suggest as a clean up crew ?

Thanks

Yourself? In a tank that small with just a pair of Rams and a group of cardinals you shouldn’t need a “clean up crew”, unless you’re overfeeding.
Rams prefer water that is softer than what shrimp or snails need. What is the GH of your water?

[fluxtor]

Interesting, I ultimately wanted to get a pair of dwarf cichlids and was looking at rams. My pH is about 7.5 so I guess that's too high?

[mikeyboy123]

If you want a dwarf cichlid, I'd suggest going for A borellii in your tank.

[black ghost]

Interesting, I ultimately wanted to get a pair of dwarf cichlids and was looking at rams. My pH is about 7.5 so I guess that's too high?

Ignore the pH, it’s not important, as long as there are no big sudden changes. The hardness (GH) is what matters.

[plankton]

I actually think it would be a bit too warm for useful snails and shrimp?
Agree with BG about the GH - Scotland can have a ph of 7.5, but the water is soft.

[Martinspuddle]

Caridina multidentata will tolerate higher temperatures, but aware it may also shorten their lifespan.

Nerite Snails, you would have to be careful of lower water hardness with their shells.