comparing kribensis and rams

[pyrera]

When it comes to rams, you've got two main types to consider - the common or blue ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, and the Bolivian ram, M. altispinosus. The former requires warmer temperatures, a minimum of 80F/27C but ideally between 28-29C/82-84F. This can make choosing tankmates a bit tricky, as many fish will struggle with prolonged exposure to this level of warmth.

In contrast, the Bolivian ram is more adaptable and can thrive in temperatures ranging from 25-26C/75-78F. It's essential to keep in mind that all South American dwarf species prefer soft, acidic water. While some can tolerate moderate hardness and slightly basic pH, it's crucial to research the specific needs of any species you're interested in keeping.

Considering your 125 liter tank, most dwarf species should work well, assuming it's around 36 inches/90 cm in length. However, I would advise against keeping multiple cichlid species in the same tank, as there simply isn't enough space for each to establish its territory.

Just checked my water company's website, says my water is moderately soft.

[sSjey]

Moderately soft water, as you've found, falls within a specific range - 50 to 100 ppm and 2.8 to 5.6 dH. These are the units we use in fish keeping, and you'll see them mentioned in fish profiles.

In our world of fish keeping, this type of water is actually considered soft, which is perfect for those South American dwarf cichlids.