comparing kribensis and rams

[pyrera]

I'm looking for some more interesting species to keep in my 125 Liter tank. I've got a bit more than basic knowledge of fish keeping, but I'm still pretty new to the hobby. What are some of the easier species to keep and breed? I'd also love to know what sort of habitat I should create for them.

I'm also open to suggestions for other tank mates that would get along with whatever species I choose. I've been doing some research, but I'd love to hear from people with more experience.

[pyrera]

Also, are there any other types of Dwarf cichlids you'd suggest I consider, would be great to hear your thoughts

[boomer]

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.

[folkist]

Kribs are slow to start breeding but they make up for it once they get going. To get started, you'll need a few males and a single female - I learned the hard way that forcing a pair doesn't work. I put a male and female together, didn't give them a choice, and the male ended up dying from stress. Females can also be pretty aggressive with each other.

Rams, from what I've heard, pair up quicker but sexing them can be tough and the fry are super challenging to raise.

What's your tank's pH like? Is your water soft or hard? Rams need soft water, but kribs are the opposite - they need harder water.

[detroit]

I think Apistogrammas are worth considering. These dwarf cichlids have a wide range of species - you've got your Cacatuoides Triple Red, Agassizi, Borelli, Bitaenita, Panduro, and Macmasteri to name a few. Elizabethae is on the pricier side, but if you're looking for something unique it might be worth the investment. Some enthusiasts have set up entire tank collections just to house a pair of each species - I've come across Tom's Homepage, www.tomc.no, which is a great resource for learning more about Apistogrammas.

[pyrera]

Thanks for all the advice, really appreciate it. I've got a pH of around 7 in my tap water, so I'm looking for something that's not too tricky to care for. I've heard Apistogramma Cacatuoides prefer softer, more acidic water, and I'm not sure if I can lower the pH and keep it stable - it's a bit of a worry for me. Are there any other dwarf cichlid species that you guys think are worth considering? I'd love to get a more rounded view of the different options out there.

[folkist]

I'm looking for some more interesting species to keep in my 125 Liter tank. I've got a bit more than basic knowledge of fish keeping, but I'm still pretty new to the hobby. What are some of the easier species to keep and breed? I'd also love to know what sort of habitat I should create for them.

I'm also open to suggestions for other tank mates that would get along with whatever species I choose. I've been doing some research, but I'd love to hear from people with more experience.

Apistogrammas should be alright in that water, I actually forgot about them, but I really think you should get some, they're a great choice.

[sSjey]

Could you tell us the tank's dimensions, specifically the length and width. The footprint of the tank is quite important for dwarf cichlids. I've noticed that many 125 litre tanks in the UK tend to be around 80 cm or 31 inches in length, whereas American tanks of the same volume often have a longer footprint but are slightly shorter in height.

[boomer]

When considering water parameters for your dwarf cichlids, it's crucial to look at the General Hardness (GH) of your tap water. This is actually more important than the pH level. What's the GH reading for your tap water?

Adjusting the pH should be done in conjunction with adjusting the GH and KH. Unless you have very soft water with low GH and KH, the pH will naturally lower on its own. It's essential to avoid artificially adjusting the pH, as this should be a natural result of balancing the GH and KH.

[pyrera]

I'm looking for some more interesting species to keep in my 125 Liter tank. I've got a bit more than basic knowledge of fish keeping, but I'm still pretty new to the hobby. What are some of the easier species to keep and breed? I'd also love to know what sort of habitat I should create for them.

I'm also open to suggestions for other tank mates that would get along with whatever species I choose. I've been doing some research, but I'd love to hear from people with more experience.

My tank's the Fluval Roma 125, it's 80cm in length, 35cm in width and 72cm in height.