Plattys

So, I have a few playttys that I think I will take back to the lfs after Christmas. One is one of the original plattys I got when I first set the tank up, a lovely red colour, but oh, so territorial and narky. Things weren't too bad but now also in there are some rapidly maturing fry, some of whom are also male, and already the fin and scales are starting to fly, with Mr. Narky chasing the others all around the tank.

There are about 5 fry, quite a good size now, Narky, and a female platty too, but I may keep her.

So, what do I replace them with. I do like the look of Rams - beautiful fish, but would they be ok with the rest of my tank inhabitants?

Ah pity about the platty. I have a pair of male platies that are best buddies and have never caused a problem.

Re: Rams - what other fish do you have, Diana? Although IME and Rich will prob back me up, Rams mix fine with most other fish and are a lovely fish full of personality. Sometimes they bicker amongst themselves but that's just a cichlid thing.

More importantly though, do you know if your water is hard or soft 'coz Rams are quite particular about having soft, slightly acidic water chemistry.

Hiya Mary, it was looking at your photos of these fish that got me interested in them . Do you know it's ages since I've tested my pH - I usually just check Ammonia etc. I think the last time I did it, a few weeks ago, the pH was about 7.6.

For some reason, although I have got my fish details in my sig, it isn't showing up . My other fish are - 2f Guppys, Harlies, Emerald Eye Rasboras, Neon Tetras, 2 BN's, and about 5 or 6 Cherry shrimp.

Well all those species are fine with Rams although I'm not sure whether or not the cherry shrimp would end up as lunch as my amano shrimp vanished from the Ram tank and they're a lot bigger than the cherrries...

That's a good point Mary, and I was wondering about that - I don't want to put the shrimp at risk because I do like them in the tank.

I'll have to have a bit of a rethink then. I can't get any fish that occupy the middle of the tank - there's enough there already, so it has to be a 'free wandering' sort of fish. The platty's are ideal really - a decent size, good colours etc. Perhaps I should just get rid of the boy ones and keep the girlies!

How about Pearl Gouramis? They tend to wander around all areas of the tank and are a lovely peaceful fish although a lot bigger than platties.