Keeping Dwarf Rainbow Fish and Blue Rams in the same tank?

[That Guy Brian]

Hi all. As the subject states, can these two species be kept in the same tank parameters? This will be my first tank and I read a post on another forum saying they can't be kept together, since one is from SA and the other from Indonesia. They will be in a 75G well planted tank (design pic below) with the following stocking, including them:

12 Orange Venezuelan Cories
6 Dwarf Rainbow Fish
6 Amano Shrimp
12 Cardinal Tetra
12 Black Neon Tetra
3 Blue Rams
4 Pom Pom Crabs
12 Red Beckford's Pencilfish
1 Tiger Pleco
12 Cherry Red Tetra
1 Siamese Algae Eater

 

[Unexpected]

I've never kept rams, but if I recall, they prefer warmer water? If so, I'd stick to fish who can handle cooler temperatures. Plants do better the cooler you can keep the water.

 

[That Guy Brian]

I've never kept rams, but if I recall, they prefer warmer water? If so, I'd stick to fish who can handle cooler temperatures. Plants do better the cooler you can keep the water.

From what I've read, they prefer 79F-86F, which does put them on the higher side of my stocking list. That being said, I was more worried about the hardness of the water. I'm in way south Louisiana and we have moderately hard water. If it's thought that the Rainbows will be fine with that, then I'll just delete the Rams from the list and add more Rainbows, if you think that would work with the rest of the stock?

-B

 

[Unexpected]

Rainbows handle just about anything.

 

[Koan]

and the other from Indonesia

Rainbowfish are (mostly) from Australia!

4 Pom Pom Crabs

Bear in mind, almost any cichlid is going to try to eat your crabs Rams might be the least likely but they still may do it. Rainbows may hunt them too

I'm in way south Louisiana and we have moderately hard water

How hard of water?

Laetcara is another genus of SA small cichlid that does well in hardness up to 10 or 15 kh

The Wet Spot usually has them

Species Snapshot: Laetacara araguaiae, the Araguaia dwarf acara - AMAZONAS Magazine

Paul V. Loiselle shines our species spotlight on a fish of many names. Whether you know it as Laetacara sp. 'Buckelkopf', the Araguaia Dwarf Acara, or even the Purple Smiler, Laetacara araguaiae is a commendable, small South American cichlid species for the home aquarium.

www.amazonasmagazine.com

Redbreasted Acara-Laetacara dorsigera

Expert facts, care advice, feeding tips and breeding information about the Redbreasted Acara (Laetacara dorsigera) for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts.

www.fishkeeper.co.uk

Dwarf Flag Acara-Laetacara curviceps

Expert facts, care advice, feeding tips and breeding information about the Dwarf Flag Acara (Laetacara curviceps) for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts.

www.fishkeeper.co.uk

 

[Pepere]

If it's thought that the Rainbows will be fine with that, then I'll just delete the Rams from the list and add more Rainbows, if you think that would work with the rest of the stock?

Well, you could always get Two tanks…

One for plants and cooler water fish…. And a second tank for Rams…

 

[That Guy Brian]

Rainbowfish are (mostly) from Australia!


Bear in mind, almost any cichlid is going to try to eat your crabs Rams might be the least likely but they still may do it. Rainbows may hunt them too



How hard of water?

Laetcara is another genus of SA small cichlid that does well in hardness up to 10 or 15 kh

The Wet Spot usually has them

Species Snapshot: Laetacara araguaiae, the Araguaia dwarf acara - AMAZONAS Magazine

Paul V. Loiselle shines our species spotlight on a fish of many names. Whether you know it as Laetacara sp. 'Buckelkopf', the Araguaia Dwarf Acara, or even the Purple Smiler, Laetacara araguaiae is a commendable, small South American cichlid species for the home aquarium.

www.amazonasmagazine.com

Redbreasted Acara-Laetacara dorsigera

Expert facts, care advice, feeding tips and breeding information about the Redbreasted Acara (Laetacara dorsigera) for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts.

www.fishkeeper.co.uk

Dwarf Flag Acara-Laetacara curviceps

Expert facts, care advice, feeding tips and breeding information about the Dwarf Flag Acara (Laetacara curviceps) for freshwater aquarium enthusiasts.

www.fishkeeper.co.uk

The GF is the one wanting the pom pom's, so I need to kinda make sure they are protected! Thanks for the links, as they'll be read at least once!

Well, you could always get Two tanks…

One for plants and cooler water fish…. And a second tank for Rams…

Enabler! More than one 75G and she might start questioning my sanity!

 

[FatPleco]

Rams eat slowly compared with rainbows. A swarm of tetras can also outcompete them for food. If you proceed with this stocking, make sure your rams always eat their fair share.

 

[Koan]

need to kinda make sure they are protected!

Consensus seems to be, if it'll hunt your shrimp it'll try and hunt your nanocrabs.. so tetras pencilfish otos corys yes, cichlids probably not

Pom Pom Crab – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet, and Breeding - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

Freshwater Pom Pom crabs are very cute, friendly and small creatures. They are one of the least aggressive crab species in the aquarium hobby.

aquariumbreeder.com

Freshwater Pom Pom Crab Care & Breeding | Shrimpy Business

If you have decided on getting some Pom Pom Crabs for your tank, but are looking for a freshwater Pom Pom Crab care guide, read on to learn more…

shrimpybusiness.com

Enabler! More than one

May potentially hunt your amanos..

Freshwater Pom Pom Crab (Ptychognathus barbatus)

Very little information is available for this crab, but we have done extensive research to determine proper husbandry for this crab in our in-house facility...

aquaticarts.com

.. sounds like a good argument for a second 12 to 20g to me! call it a late valentine's, give the gift of low-iron-glass rimless

 

[Pepere]

Enabler! More than one 75G and she might start questioning my sanity!

Well, you dont need another 75 gallon. A pair of German Blue Rams would do nicely in a 29 gallon tank and allow some other community tankmates.

The first time I heard about people keeping more than 1 tank it was an epiphany to me. I never contemplated it before.

I have two 75’s, two 29s and a 20 high. I am contemplating on shutting down a 29 and the 20 high.

 

[Koan]

​

 

[hamfist]

Laetcara is another genus of SA small cichlid that does well in hardness up to 10 or 15 kh

A great suggestion. I have actually just obtained a pair of Laetacara dorsigera. They are the sweetest of fish . Very "un-cichlid" like. I can thoroughly recommend them for a more gentle planted tank scenario.
However, in reality I suspect they are still potentially a risk to smaller amanos and pom pom crabs.

 

[Pepere]

A substitution might be for Bolivian Rams as opposed to Getman Blue Rams.

A cooler water fish with a lower range on hardness.. less intense pastel coloration but otherwise similar appearance.

Is your desire for Amano shrimp for their reputed algae control attributes, or just because you like the look of them?

 

[That Guy Brian]

A substitution might be for Bolivian Rams as opposed to Getman Blue Rams.

A cooler water fish with a lower range on hardness.. less intense pastel coloration but otherwise similar appearance.

Is your desire for Amano shrimp for their reputed algae control attributes, or just because you like the look of them?

For the Amano's, it's both the look and algae control.

I think I'm just going to avoid the Cichlids all together and get more Rainbows. If they act the fool and go after the crabs, I'll deal with that then. The crabs should have plenty of cover, assuming planting goes according to plan.

-B

 

[That Guy Brian]

And if we weren't in a 1BR apartment, yes, there would be multiple tanks!

-B

 

[Pepere]

And if we weren't in a 1BR apartment, yes, there would be multiple tanks!

Well, here are 3 aquariums just IN my bedroom….. never mind a whole 1 bedroom apartment….