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Moderator
 
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| In a couple of different threads the topic of rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) has come up. They are one of my favorite fish, and since they seem to be a problem fish for many of us hobbyists I thought I would start a topic just on rams. My experience has been that rams simply do not adjust to water that is anything other than soft and acid, which is what the water is like in their natural habitat. In addition, they really prefer warmer temperatures than most typical tropical fish -- this is why they are so often recommended as tankmates for discus, i.e. around 84 -- 86 degrees F. Rams are such a beautiful fish that fish farmers all over the world breed them and offer them for sale to wholesalers and then to your lfs. The only ones that I have ever had any luck with are the German Blues -- the enclosed photo is a batch I have right now down in my wholesale fish room. 
These beauties are from a fish farmer in Florida that I have been buying from for ages. He raises them, along with his angels and severums, in a room that is supplied with water that has been softened, with the pH in the mid to low 6's, and the temperature is in the low 80's. The problem is that the vast majority of the rams that you will see at your lfs are from the Far East. These are very weak fish that have been "pushed" to get to sellable size at high temperatures, sterile conditions, and lots of live food; they also may have been fed hormones to bring out their colors vividly. These fish get tossed into a bag with a whole bunch of their brothers and sisters, then into a box that is flown half-way across the world. When they are at the wholesaler's/distributor's they are at lower temperatures, have been stressed from their long trip, and all of a sudden they are expected to eat dry flake food. Then, at most lfs's rams are kept under the same conditions as all the other fish. If you want rams, ask your lfs to specifically bring in some German Blues -- not necessarily from Germany, as there are quite a few breeders in Florida -- but definitely NOT from the Far East. True German Blue Rams will cost more than the Far East ones, but they are worth it. I know that I pay my Florida guy almost twice as much as I could buy rams from the Far East, but they are worth every penny. Finally, if you are fortunate enough to get some true German Blue rams, they will really only thrive for you if they are kept in soft/acid water, at 80 degrees or higher.
*************************** Be warned -- everyone at college has a weird roommate. If you don't have a weird roomate -- then you're the weird roommate.
Conan O'Brien, Stuyvesant High School.
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Fishkeeping GURU
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They're beautiful. Thanks for that explanation. I am one of the people who has had constant trouble from blue rams but I still really want some. My lfs has no idea where theirs are from (they basically know nothing about any of their fish), but I'm figuring Far East since they sell at this normally overpriced pet store for only $6.99. Every batch has died, and they don't color up well at all.
I'd love to get my hands on German stock, but I can't seem to find any pet stores that can get them (that they know of). I don't suppose since you are pretty local to me, I could maybe buy some of yours sometime? I don't get down there often since it is a 2 1/2 hour drive, but maybe sometime? I'll understand if you do wholesale only, but I thought I'd try.
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| Yes, Hailey, I really can't sell to individuals -- would not be the right thing for the the local fish stores I sell to. If you want to let me know where you are perhaps there is a store near to you that I sell to? They really are terrific fish -- but difficult unless you get the German Blues.
*************************** Be warned -- everyone at college has a weird roommate. If you don't have a weird roomate -- then you're the weird roommate.
Conan O'Brien, Stuyvesant High School.
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Fishkeeping GURU
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I'm in southwestern NH. I think we went over this once and you said you didn't sell to any stores near me. Can you tell me where you sell to, and maybe I'll make it there sometime?
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Moderator
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How about Laconia Pet in Laconia, Lebanon in Lebanon, or One Stop Country Pet in Brattleboro, VT?
***************************Be warned -- everyone at college has a weird roommate. If you don't have a weird roomate -- then you're the weird roommate.
Conan O'Brien, Stuyvesant High School.
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Average Member
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Those fish are SO pretty. I almost want one!!! 
Jfish13_________________________________
Charles ***ens!!!!!
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Junior Member
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this was one of the first fish i planned to get.....that is until i couldn't find them in any stores and heard about the problems others have had w/ keeping them. it sounds like my water parameters are on the opposite end of what they prefer. oh well, wishful thinking....
Check out my fish blog... http://www.fishchannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=54666
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Fishkeeping GURU
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Oh, cool. I love Lebanon Pet and Aquarium Center. It is a long haul for me, but it's worth it when I go. The employees aren't all that knowledgeable (there are a few really good ones) and there are usually dead fish around, but the enormous stock and rare fish they sometimes carry are well worth the trip. Do you supply them regularly? I've seen rams there and they usually look pretty good, but the employees had no idea where they were from.
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