Breeding Microgeophagus ramirezi

[Jeffrey Richard]

I have a group (6) of rams that I have been QTing in a 29 gallon for about a month. They seem to be mature (don't know how old they are ...). Will a pair spawn in the group setting, or would it be better to move a pair to it's own 10 gallon tank?

 

[Cathy G]

They will spawn in the group tank. If you want the fry however, you'll probably have to pull the eggs. If there are lots of flat rocks and places to hide, they may even get the fry to the wiggler stage - usually though, the young rams eat the eggs.
If you go to my website and click on the aquarium link you'll find a fairly complete write up of how I raise the fry. Click on my profile to get a link to my site.
Hope you have fun with the fish,
Cathy

 

[Jeffrey Richard]

OK, I haven't seen any breeding activity, although the fish are really coloring up and plumping up. Looking for suggestions/advice ...

1) Should I separate into pairs and give them their own tank (20 gallon)?
2) Temp?
3) My water is about 120 ms ... should I treat with peat first ?( Ican produce 100 gallons of peat filtered water)
4) Setup ... I have lots of lava Fern around ... bare bottomed or planted?

Thanks

 

[nightowl1350]

Rams can pretty much breed once you can tell males from females. If some have very pink bellies, look for a breeding tube (they will be females)

 

[cherryred]

Just like spawning

The rams I have spawn in pairs, group settings anything at all! They just like to spawn. We have naturally soft water with neutral ph. They do take a while to be able to breed about 9 months to a year for me.