Keeping hill stream loach with ram cichlids

[LilyHid]

I'm thinking of adding Hillstream Loaches to my 27 gallon tank. I've got guppies, platies, neons, and 2 tan cichlids already, and was wondering if Ram Cichlids would be a good match with the loaches?

[boomer]

Unfortunately, no. The requirements for Hillstream Loaches and Ram Cichlids are quite different, particularly when it comes to temperature and water flow. Hillstream Loaches need cooler temperatures between 20-24C (68-75F) and high water circulation to maintain the oxygen levels they require. Their unique body shape, with horizontal fins, is adapted for holding onto rocks in strong currents, which is a clear indication of the environment they thrive in.

As for Ram Cichlids, the temperature requirements vary depending on the specific type. The common or blue ram, for instance, prefers warmer temperatures between 27-30C (80-86F), while the Bolivian ram does better in temperatures ranging from 24-27C (76-80F).

In contrast, Neon Tetras prefer cooler temperatures, around 24C (76F) at most. Considering your tank's current inhabitants, I'm curious - what exactly are "tan cichlids?"

[LilyHid]

Unfortunately, no. The requirements for Hillstream Loaches and Ram Cichlids are quite different, particularly when it comes to temperature and water flow. Hillstream Loaches need cooler temperatures between 20-24C (68-75F) and high water circulation to maintain the oxygen levels they require. Their unique body shape, with horizontal fins, is adapted for holding onto rocks in strong currents, which is a clear indication of the environment they thrive in.

As for Ram Cichlids, the temperature requirements vary depending on the specific type. The common or blue ram, for instance, prefers warmer temperatures between 27-30C (80-86F), while the Bolivian ram does better in temperatures ranging from 24-27C (76-80F).

In contrast, Neon Tetras prefer cooler temperatures, around 24C (76F) at most. Considering your tank's current inhabitants, I'm curious - what exactly are "tan cichlids?"

I really appreciate your detailed response. I did indeed mean to type 'Ram' cichlids, not just 'Ram'. I was wondering, would it be possible to keep just two Ram cichlids in a 16 gallon tank, or is that tank size too small for them?

[kayoko]

My tank's at 28C, community setup with a built-in sump, doing about 100gph, 2x rotation. Got a bunch of fish, including Cories, a few Plecos - juveniles and 2 adult L144. Also have 4 juvenile and 2 male, 1 female adult L046. Then there's the Loaches - 2 hillstream, 2 chain. I've got 2 pea puffers, around 15 neon tetras (they breed like crazy, numbers go up and down), 3 Amano shrimp, 2 rainbow forktail, a few black crystal shrimp (they lose color), and a few fire red shrimp (have to separate them when they're pregnant, or the fish will eat the small ones). I've also got around 15 endlers and 2 zebra otos, which I rarely see. I know they're still there because I catch a glimpse of them every 2 months or so.

I used to keep everything at room temp, but after getting the zebra plecos, I've kept it around 22 in summer and 25-28 in winter. Now it's a steady 28. I've had no fish losses, aside from the fry getting eaten by other fish. My water changes are based on pH and TDS, which lately has been about 1.5 weeks. Before the L144s, I could go over a month without doing a water change. I'm actually thinking of getting rid of them, as they're a bit of a poop machine. My pH is kept just over 7, and if it reaches 7.2, I use a CO2 controller to lower it back down. I change the water when my tank reaches about 375 TDS. I've got a 45, a 20, and a 10-gal tank. Next project is probably getting rid of the L144s to improve water conditions and try to breed the zebra plecos - I've recently got a female. By the way, don't get Cories if you've got hillstream loaches - the loaches will just starve them by pushing them away from food.

[LilyHid]

Yes, I would keep them at the right temperature. They're a male and female pair.