Breeding German Blue Rams

[sincerelyme]

A month or two ago I purchased a pair of german blue rams for my 30g community with swordtails, guppies, mollies, neon tetras, and kuhli loaches. In the past couple weeks I've noticed some signs that look like breeding behavior. The male has been chasing the female A LOT (especially in the past few days.). He also seems a lot more aggressive towards other fish, though this isn't specific to the locations of any of their pits, just anyone who gets in his way. They've been digging multiple pits in the sand. The female's belly is constantly bright pink. I haven't seen any eggs yet, but maybe they're getting eaten.

I purchased a 20g long that I plan on moving them to this week. I've set up a lot of caves and hiding spots, but since they're digging so many pits in the sand in their current tank, I feel like they might do the same in their own.

Does it sound like I have a breeding pair? Are they more likely to spawn in a space of their own than in a community tank? Has anyone had success that could share some words of wisdom? I'm pretty new to breeding, so any advice would be much appreciated.

Also, I have very hard water, which I know they don't like. Are there any good ways of softening it without buying an RO unit?

 

[nstefan2597]

A month or two ago I purchased a pair of german blue rams for my 30g community with swordtails, guppies, mollies, neon tetras, and kuhli loaches. In the past couple weeks I've noticed some signs that look like breeding behavior. The male has been chasing the female A LOT (especially in the past few days.). He also seems a lot more aggressive towards other fish, though this isn't specific to the locations of any of their pits, just anyone who gets in his way. They've been digging multiple pits in the sand. The female's belly is constantly bright pink. I haven't seen any eggs yet, but maybe they're getting eaten.

I purchased a 20g long that I plan on moving them to this week. I've set up a lot of caves and hiding spots, but since they're digging so many pits in the sand in their current tank, I feel like they might do the same in their own.

Does it sound like I have a breeding pair? Are they more likely to spawn in a space of their own than in a community tank? Has anyone had success that could share some words of wisdom? I'm pretty new to breeding, so any advice would be much appreciated.

Also, I have very hard water, which I know they don't like. Are there any good ways of softening it without buying an RO unit?

My water is extremely hard and my GBR breed every 2 weeks. Usually on a piece of slate or a clay pot. Sounds like breeding behavior to me but mine never dig. I do a 50% water change and a big feeding of bloodworms and it gets them to breed every time.

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[sincerelyme]

My water is extremely hard and my GBR breed every 2 weeks. Usually on a piece of slate or a clay pot. Sounds like breeding behavior to me but mine never dig. I do a 50% water change and a big feeding of bloodworms and it gets them to breed every time.

Sent from my SCH-R830 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Doesn't hard water make it more difficult for the eggs to hatch?

 

[gutted]

Doesn't hard water make it more difficult for the eggs to hatch?

I dont think so. Theres a local breeder where I bought all my rams from and he uses hard Chicago water. And he breeds tons of rams, angels and discus.

My old pair used always lay eggs after I large water change. Good luck!

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[sincerelyme]

I dont think so. Theres a local breeder where I bought all my rams from and he uses hard Chicago water. And he breeds tons of rams, angels and discus.

My old pair used always lay eggs after I large water change. Good luck!

Sent from my SGH-T999 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

I guess it should be fine. My convicts had no problems with the eggs hatching, but I figured that might be because they're convicts. But I guess eggs are eggs and hopefully they hatch! Thanks.

 

[brich999]

Mine used to dig pits also and the eggs were so small they could barely be seen. Furthest I ever got was a few wigglers, but they all got eaten eventually by tankmates and even the dad

 

[sincerelyme]

Is this a breeding tube on my female?





They're still in the community tank. I was waiting on a heater that I ordered for the 20g long, but it came today! Hopefully since they'll be in their own tank I'll have less of a problem with fish eating their eggs. I want to let them try a few times on their own, but I'll probably try and hatch them myself if that doesn't work.

 

[tlindsey]

Yep . Tube used for laying eggs.

 

[sincerelyme]

Finally set them up in the 20g tank. I've been considering getting another pair, or perhaps just another female. Would another pair be too much for a 20g or would I be better off just getting another female and letting the male have his pick? They are the only fish in the tank.