Bolivian's and Blue's

[kaitym]

Need suggestions on how to set up a 55 gal to keep both species happy. I've got a bunch of plants that can be moved around and some big decorations.

I've also got an oto (about 1 inch) that is pro at hiding when I try to move him. Is it necessary that I move him, or should I actually get more?

And are the little terracotta pots ok to use in my aquarium for caves as long as I boil them beforehand?

[Angel keeper]

Heavy planted tank is good which you have, and yes boil th pots before hand. Rams dont really need caves but if you want to add it in for a hideout theres no problem in that. If its possible provide some smooth rocks and pebbles for them, they will use it aswell as the pots when spawning.

Bog woods are also a possibility for them to hide in. Rams are peaceful species so having an oto in would be fine. You can have a variety of fish inside with them due to their peaceful nature but when they spawn they can get a tiny bit aggressive but its nothing to worry about. Also they are bottom - mid water dwellers or so i have read but mine likes to hang out at the top sometimes too. This means they may or may not be slightly aggressive to corys if you plan on keeping them in the future but it should be fine.

Temp should be 24-28 degrees, soft and slightly acidic would be good but as a thread i have made about the ph etc i hve found out from other membrs of this forum that its fine having 7.0 for the ph as its better for the fish to be in a tank that they have adjusted to rarther than making them readjusting to the water.

[kaitym]

After looking at different pictures and information, I've come to the conclusion that I have 3 female bolivians and 1 male. The male is a little on the small side, a more recent addition so I'm not counting on any spawning in the near future. I'm going to try and get photos of the 4 different fish (a task which seems almost impossible) for better identification. If my assumptions are correct should I try to get one more male or is this mix ok?

[johnathonlove'sfish]

dwarf cichlids do best in pairs could you trade a female for a male? the extra females sometimes get killed when breeding.

[kaitym]

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Two of my Bolivians.. Any ideas?

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Best shot I've been able to get so far.

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GBR and Bolivian checking my camera out.

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The plant is the barrier line, which neither one really respects.

[Lady Hobbs]

Terra pots need not be boiled and they may actually break if you do.

[kaitym]

I boiled them for about 5 mins each and then soaked them in treated water for 30 mins. They're holding up really well, though I think they're coloring my water. No matter how many WC's I do or how much water I change out it never seems to totally clear up.

[angel_love]

I agree with lady hobbs. I rinsed my pots well with hot water and scrubbed the sticky residue from the price tags off and everything turned out fine. Boiling it probably loosened the sediments and that may be why your water is turning colors.

[kaitym]

I dont mind the color really, it looks like someone dropped a tea bag into the tank. I may end up yanking the pots out when I redo the tank at the end of the month. Moving has its upsides =)

So I've noticed two of my bolivians hanging out over the same piece of slate for about a week but no eggs. They chase the other fish away from it and they even rest there when the lights go off.