[keyholer]

I've got a 55-gallon tank and am thinking of adding 6 juvenile german blue rams. I think it's a stretch, given fish load so far, but what do you all think?

In Tank Now
2 Geophagus pindares
1 Geophagus sp. Bahia Red (small female, mellow)
1 Laetacara Dorsigera
2 Laetacara curviceps

6 corys
2 dwarf plecos (albino bristlenose and clown)
6 otos

7 black phantom tetras
2 boesemani rainbows (Ok, so I'm not an SA purist!)

Heavily planted, with 1 Eheim 2217 cannister filter plus an Aquaclear 300 HOB

I know that's a lot of fish...but water's crystal clear and testing great, fish look healthy and happy.

Thanks!

 

[mlancaster]

Hi keyholer,

I would not add the Rams. I would expect them to be tormented by all the other cichlids. Your tank is pretty full as is, I would stick with it the way it is and watch for issues. It sounds like a pretty cool tank; do you have any pictures?

The Bahia red is my biggest concern. Although I have not had a female, my male is brutal on all tank inhabitants; especially Goes. He also constantly rips at my fake plants.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[keyholer]

You're right to be concerned about the Bahia. Notice my name--Keyholer? Now in name only, after my 3 veteran Keyhole cichlids were killed within days of adding a male Bahia Red in a 37-gallon tank. Dumb newbie mistake.

As a result, I have been keeping a close eye on the female Bahia in the 55, and so far no problems. But I hear you--I'll hold off on the GBRs until the inevitable occursâ€â€