[fisheye]

Hi
Thanks for allowing me to join this forum.Off course I have a few question today.
10 years ago I kept discus and African cichlids and done very well at it .
After a long lay off I find myself getting the urge again.Heck I have got two tanks 40& 60 gal.I guess thats more than an urge LOL.
This time around I seem drawn to the south American ram cichlids and would like you to help me if you have time .
First I would like to know if like Africans you can have multiple dwarfs in a 40 gal .
if so could you suggest how many and what kind would make up a peaceful colony.
What would be the best type of bottom for them.(I use to use silica sand for my Africans )
Do they need live plants as I would like to have the aquariums planted this time .
As you know it was a wast of time with Africans and my Discus had bar bottom tanks.
Of course I thank you for any information you can provide me to make this venture successful.
Regards
Fisheye

[stumac]

with rams u can keep groups together but it will depend on sexes, 1 male will generally pair off or go round a few females but i have had 6 in a 48x18x18 tank and had 2 pairs spawn either end with the remaining 2 left alone, sand or fine gravel is gd but add plants/plastic or real to divide the territory and add flat stones as most rams are open spawners (i have had them spawn in a cave once) add dither fish for display and distraction methods.

U could add a pair of apistogramma and rams together in each of your tanks as they are pretty big, i have spawned pairs of each in a 24x12x12" tabk no probs

[fisheye]

with rams u can keep groups together but it will depend on sexes, 1 male will generally pair off or go round a few females but i have had 6 in a 48x18x18 tank and had 2 pairs spawn either end with the remaining 2 left alone, sand or fine gravel is gd but add plants/plastic or real to divide the territory and add flat stones as most rams are open spawners (i have had them spawn in a cave once) add dither fish for display and distraction methods.

U could add a pair of apistogramma and rams together in each of your tanks as they are pretty big, i have spawned pairs of each in a 24x12x12" tabk no probs

Hello and thanks for your response .
I will take you advice and concider it for now

Fisheye