25 Amazing German Blue Ram Tank Mates
Jaime Douglas
Writer at The Aquarium Keeper
German blue rams are an extraordinary species, that have lots of different colors on their body. They are also relatively peaceful and can be a great addition to a community aquarium. German blue rams are considered a center-piece fish, but what other creatures can coexist with these species? In this article, I will break down 25 different german blue ram tank mates.
Table of Contents
German Blue Ram Species Overview
German blue rams are dwarf cichlid species, that originate from South America. Originally, this colorful ram cichlid variant was captively bred in Germany from wild rams and became stable in the dwarf cichlid aquarium world. There are also a lot of different ram cichlid types, but most of them are similar, just vary in size, coloration, and body shape.
The german blue ram has a lot of different colors, that cover the whole body. The head is usually red or orange in color, while the lower part of the body can be covered in yellow or grey colorations, while at the same time having bright blue spots all around the fins and some parts of the body. These species also usually have some darker spots and a black stripe going across the red eyes.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mikrogeophagus ramirezi |
| Common Name | German Blue Ram |
| Origin | South America, but are mainly captively bred |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $10 - $15 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 28°C - 30°C (82°F - 86°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, pellets, frozen or live foods, sometimes nibble on plants |
| Temperament | Peaceful, but might become aggressive while breeding |
| Lifespan | 2 - 4 years |
| Size | 2 - 2.5 inches |
German blue rams are peaceful community fish, they can only become aggressive if they are breeding, which does not happen too often. These species are one of the fish that burrow in sand and can move around the substrate, and dig new holes.
German Blue Ram Tank Mates
To begin our list, it is important to mention, that not all aquarium fish or creatures can be kept with german blue rams. Here are the things you should know, before introducing any fish to an aquarium with these species:
- You can’t keep aggressive or territorial fish in the same aquarium. Species like betta fish or pea puffers won’t be good tank mates for german blue rams, because they will continuously bother each other, and even have the capability to injure one another.
- You can’t keep small aquarium creatures in the same tank. Smaller snails or invertebrate species like bladder snails or baby neocaridina shrimp can easily get eaten by german blue rams. They will gladly eat anything, that fits in their mouth.
- Make sure the water parameters are suitable for all tank mates. Some fish have very different water needs from the german blue ram, and it is your responsibility to check whether potential tank mates like the same water temperature and other relevant water parameters.
- Don’t overstock your aquarium. German blue rams can become aggressive if they feel, that there is not enough space for them. Be sure to pick potential tank mates, that would suit your aquarium setup.
These are really easy guidelines to follow when choosing german blue ram tank mates. Be sure to pick one of the species that I am about to mention since these creatures are most compatible with german blue rams.
Bolivian Ram
The first fish on this list is another ram cichlid, which is called the bolivian ram. It is also a colorful center-piece fish, that originates from Bolivia.
Bolivian rams are bigger than the blue german cichlids and are very different in terms of appearance. These species have an orange or red head, while the rest of the body is gray. The fins of this fish are longer and usually have red coloration at the very edges.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mikrogeophagus altispinosus |
| Common Name | Bolivian Ram |
| Origin | South America - Bolivia |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $10 - $20 USD |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, pellets, live or frozen foods, bloodworms, algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 5 - 7 years |
| Size | 3 - 4 inches |
Bolivian rams also can be slightly aggressive while breeding, so it is important to give these species enough room in an aquarium. They are also species, that dig up sand, so be sure to have some column-feeding aquarium plants, that don’t rely on being planted into the substrate.
Honey Gourami
A beautiful addition to a community tank and a good blue ram cichlid tank mate is the honey gourami. These species are about the same size as the german blue ram, but would definitely not bother the main attraction of the aquarium.
Honey gourami fish’s appearance resembles their given name, their whole body is covered in bright yellow color, while the fins are slightly transparent. They also have catfish-like antennas, that help navigate the water and seek out food.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichogaster chuna |
| Common Name | Honey Gourami |
| Origin | South Asia - India |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $5 - $10 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 29°C (75°F - 84°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 2 - 3 inches |
Honey gourami species are relatively friendly, they are curious and sometimes shy fish, that tend to stay in the middle level of an aquarium. They are also opportunistic feeders and will try to eat anything, that can fit in their mouth.
Dwarf Gourami
Another interesting german blue ram tank mate is the dwarf gourami. These creatures are also incredibly beautiful and can be a centerpiece for any aquarium.
German blue rams and dwarf gourami species can easily coexist with each other, simply because these species are not too territorial, they are social fish, that love lush vegetation and exploring their surroundings. Dwarf gourami species are stunning when it comes to appearance, they have multiple colors on their body, including red, orange, blue, and even yellow.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichogaster lalius |
| Common Name | Dwarf Gourami |
| Origin | South Asia - India |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $5 - $10 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 30°C (75°F - 86°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 2 - 3 inches |
Keeping this kind of shiny and beautiful fish is truly amazing, but it is best done in slightly darker aquarium setups. To get the most out of dwarf gourami colors, be sure to have at least a black background, darker rocks, or black substrate.
Sparkling Gourami
Another gourami species on this list is the sparkling gourami. It is one of the smallest gourami species in the world, and it can be an interesting addition to a community tank and a good german blue ram tank mate.
Sparkling gourami species usually have a grayish body with little darker or lighter spots, while their whole body and fins are covered with small bright blue dots, which gives these species the “sparkling” name. These species are very peaceful, and like to live with their own kind, but will do really good in larger community tanks.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trichopsis pumila |
| Common Name | Sparkling Gourami |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $3 - $6 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 28°C (75°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2 inches |
Due to their small size, these species sometimes can be shy. When it comes to compatibility with the blue german ram, sparkling gourami will not bother the larger fish, instead they will peacefully coexist with each other.
Neon Tetra
Moving on, the first schooling-type fish on this list is the neon tetra. These small and beautiful fish are one of the most known creatures in this hobby and do well in most freshwater community tanks.
Neon tetras are small schooling fish, that stand out with their bright blue neon stripe that goes from head to tail, and the red coloration near the end of the belly. Even if the german blue ram were to be aggressive with neon tetras, he would have no chance of catching these little creatures.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Paracheirodon innesi |
| Common Name | Neon Tetra |
| Origin | South America - Amazon Basin |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $2 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 26°C (72°F - 79°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1 - 1.5 inches |
Neon tetras definitely do best in larger groups of at least 8. They are schooling fish and feel most safe swimming with their own kind. It is a beautiful sight to see when you have a bunch of neon tetras swimming all at once in one direction.
Rummy Nose Tetra
A beautiful schooling fish, that would be a great german blue ram tank mate is the rummy nose tetra. These species are not that small schooling fish, but are still incredibly beautiful.
Rummy nose tetras have bright red eyes and faces, while their whole body is grey, and the tail is covered in black and white stripes. These species are extremely active and also do best in groups.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemigrammus rhodostomus |
| Common Name | Rummy Nose Tetra |
| Origin | South America - Amazon Basin |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1.50 - $3 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 28°C (75°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 5.5 - 7.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 15 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2 inches |
Rummy nose tetras are extremely peaceful, but they might sometimes fight against one another. It is a normal thing that happens between rummy nose tetras since they just trying to figure out their own hierarchy in the pack that they are living in.
Ember Tetra
Another unique schooling fish, that would bring amazing colors to your aquarium is the ember tetra. These species are excellent tank mates for the blue german ram since they are simply fast, small peaceful fish.
Ember tetras are bright orange in color and also can have yellowish or reddish colorations on their body. These species also have yellow eyes, and look absolutely amazing in larger groups. They are relatively small compared to other schooling fish and are widely available everywhere.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon amandae |
| Common Name | Ember Tetra |
| Origin | South America - Brazil |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $2 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2 - 4 years |
| Size | 0.75 - 1 inch |
Ember tetras also originate from South America, similar to the blue german ram and other small fish species. Both ember tetras and german blue rams share the same natural habitats.
Lemon Tetra
Moving on, another small schooling fish that could live with the german blue ram is the lemon tetra. These species are unique South American schooling fish, that are peaceful, playful, and beautiful!
Lemon tetras have diamond-shaped bodies, and the fins of the fish are usually yellow and black, except for the tail of the fish, which is slightly transparent. Lemon tetras also have bright orange eyes, while their body is usually bright yellow in color.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis |
| Common Name | Lemon Tetra |
| Origin | South America - Amazon Basin |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $2 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 5.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1 - 1.5 inches |
Some lemon tetras are extremely yellow in body color, while others are pretty bland and simply gray. This is the reason for the conditions that these species are living in. If the temperature, food, and tank environment are good, these species will become more yellow.
Zebra Danio
The zebra danio is a really popular fish among fish keepers and is usually used in community aquariums. They are small and active creatures, that don’t require a lot in an aquarium.
The zebra danio is a unique species when it comes to appearance. They have a zebra-type pattern on their whole body and are covered with white and dark blue stripes. These species love to live in larger groups and do best with their own kind.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Danio rerio |
| Common Name | Zebra Danio |
| Origin | South Asia - India |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $3 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 18°C - 26°C (64°F - 79°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1 - 2.5 inches |
Zebra danios are also considered not a schooling, but a shoaling fish. What it means, is that these species love to swim with other similar size fish in the same direction, thus feeling better in numbers and not alone.
Celestial Pearl Danio
Moving on, another interesting potential german blue ram tank mate is the celestial pearl danio. These species are also often called galaxy rasboras.
Celestial pearl danios are small, fast-swimming species, that love to explore their tanks and swim with other similar-sized fish. They have an orange or yellow belly, while their body is covered with small yellow dots.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Celestichthys margaritatus |
| Common Name | Celestial Pearl Danio |
| Origin | Southeast Asia - Myanmar |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Price | $3 - $5 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 20°C - 26°C (68°F - 79°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2 - 4 years |
| Size | 0.75 - 1 inch |
Celestial pearl danios are completely peaceful fish and are really suited for community aquariums. German blue rams would do just fine with these nano species since they don’t portray any fin-nipping tendencies.
Killifish
There are lots of different killifish types, but most of them can peacefully live in the same aquarium with german blue rams. These species are extremely colorful and can be a good addition to a beautiful community tank.
Different killifish species portray different colors, so it is important to find the best killifish, that suits your aquarium the best. It is also important to understand, that male killifish can be aggressive towards other males, so be sure to keep a limited amount of males, preferably aiming to have a 1:3 male-to-female ratio.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aphyosemion spp. (Various species) |
| Common Name | Killifish |
| Origin | Various - Africa, South America |
| Rarity | Varies by Species |
| Price | $5 - $15 USD (Varies) |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Water Temperature | 20°C - 28°C (68°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods, Algae |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive |
| Lifespan | 2 - 5 years |
| Size | 1 - 2 inches |
So killifish are extremely easy to keep, while others may be more challenging and suited for experienced fish keepers. Be sure to do your research when choosing a certain killifish species, since not all of them might like the same water conditions as german blue rams.
Cherry Barb
Moving on, another relatively small potential tank mate for german blue ram is the cherry barb. These species can be good tank mates, since they won’t get in the german blue ram way, and are really peaceful to other fish.
Living up to their name, cherry barbs are completely red in color, while having smaller dark markings on their body. These species may often chase one another, in order to establish some sort of hierarchy amongst them, but they are peaceful to other species.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Puntius titteya |
| Common Name | Cherry Barb |
| Origin | Sri Lanka |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $4 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 15 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Live/Frozen Foods, Vegetables |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2 inches |
Cherry barbs would absolutely look amazing on larger groups, and also in darker setups. Their amazing coloration could be more visible with a darker background, decorations, and substrate.
Harlequin Rasbora
Another peaceful schooling species on this list is the harlequin rasbora. They are unique-looking species, that can bring an interesting coloration pattern to a well-established community aquarium.
Harlequin rasboras have orange eyes, while their whole body is also covered in darker orange coloration. They also have a big black stripe, that goes from the middle of the body to the tail.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Trigonostigma heteromorpha |
| Common Name | Harlequin Rasbora |
| Origin | Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1.50 - $3 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 27°C (72°F - 81°F) |
| pH | 5.0 - 7.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Flakes, Live/Frozen Foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful, Schooling |
| Lifespan | 5 - 8 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2 inches |
Harlequin rasboras are very popular when it comes to schooling aquarium fish. These species are very cheap, but if you buy a larger school of them, it can cost a bit more.
Bristlenose Pleco
The first bottom-dwelling fish on this list is the popular bristlenose pleco. There are lots of different bristlenose pleco variations, some are completely white, while others can have stripes or dots on their body.
Bristlenose plecos are considered sucker fish, which means that they occasionally will suck themselves up to aquarium glass, and eat algae, cleaning the aquarium glass in the process. Most species can reach 6 inches, so be sure to have a bigger tank of at least 20 gallons.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ancistrus spp. (Various species) |
| Common Name | Bristlenose Pleco |
| Origin | South America - Amazon Basin |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $5 - $20 USD (Varies) |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 20°C - 28°C (68°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Diet | Herbivore - Algae, Vegetables, Specially Prepared Foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 10 - 15 years |
| Size | 4 - 6 inches |
Bristlenose plecos mainly spend their time at the bottom of the tank, occasionally moving from place to place, and even sucking themselves up to a decoration or a plant. They become more active during later hours since it is a nocturnal species.
Otocinclus
Another popular bottom dweller fish on this list is the otocinclus. It can be a good tank mate for the German blue ram and an excellent addition to a smaller aquarium.
Otocinclus is considered one of the smallest bottom-dweller fish in the aquarium hobby. When it comes to appearance, these species don’t look anything amazing. Otocinclus is grey in body color and has a black stripe going across the whole body.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Otocinclus affinis |
| Common Name | Otocinclus Catfish |
| Origin | South America - Brazil, Peru |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $4 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 26°C (72°F - 79°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Herbivore - Algae, Vegetables, Specially Prepared Foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2 - 5 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2.5 inches |
Because the species are relatively common and almost available everywhere, otocinclus is not that expensive to get. Be sure to get a handful of these species, since they love their own company and feel safer in groups.
Pygmy Corydora
Another good choice for a german blue ram tank mate is the pygmy corydora. It can definitely be mistaken for an otocinclus, since both these species look somewhat alike.
Pygmy corydoras are the smallest species out of the corydora family tree. They have grey bodies, and a black stripe, that goes from head to tail. When it comes to character, these species are super peaceful, and just look for food in the substrate all day.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Corydoras pygmaeus |
| Common Name | Pygmy Corydora |
| Origin | South America - Brazil |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $4 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 26°C (72°F - 79°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Omnivore - Sinking Pellets, Live/Frozen Foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful, Shoaling |
| Lifespan | 3 - 5 years |
| Size | 1 - 1.5 inches |
One thing to know when keeping pygmy corydoras, is that they prefer sand substrate. It is way easier for these species to move the substrate around and find pieces of food, compared to gravel substrate.
Kuhli Loach
Moving on, kuhli loaches can also live with german blue rams since these species spend most of their time hiding in the substrate, and in no way these species would ever fight each other.
Kuhli loaches are considered fish, that love to burrow in sand. That is why you should also consider using good-quality sand as a substrate because these species just love to dig around the substrate and completely disappear in it for a long period of time.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pangio kuhlii |
| Common Name | Kuhli Loach |
| Origin | Southeast Asia - Indonesia, Malaysia |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $3 - $5 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 30°C (75°F - 86°F) |
| pH | 5.5 - 6.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Diet | Carnivore - Live/Frozen Foods, Bottom Feeder Pellets |
| Temperament | Peaceful, Nocturnal |
| Lifespan | 5 - 10 years |
| Size | 3 - 5 inches |
Similar to bristlenose plecos, kuhli loaches are also nocturnal species and mainly come out during the night. They are also basically scavengers and eat whatever they can find.
Yoyo Loach
Another type of loach that is compatible with german blue rams is the yoyo loach. These species might be semi-aggressive, but mainly not towards other fish, but their own kind.
These species have a unique appearance, their whole body is covered in black and white markings, and some of them may resemble the letters “Y” and “O”, hence the name “Yoyo” loach.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Botia almorhae |
| Common Name | Yoyo Loach |
| Origin | Southeast Asia - India |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $5 - $10 USD |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 30°C (75°F - 86°F) |
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Diet | Carnivore - Live/Frozen Foods, Bottom Feeder Pellets |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive, Can be Territorial |
| Lifespan | 8 - 12 years |
| Size | 3 - 5 inches |
Yoyo loaches like to stay in groups of their own kind. It is best to keep these species in groups of at least 5 because they feel more safe with other yoyo loaches.
Vampire Shrimp
Moving on, vampire shrimp can also live with german blue rams in the same aquarium. These creatures can be considered a peaceful addition to a community tank, where german blue rams are the main attraction.
Vampire shrimp are very interesting species, and there are a few different colors of them, ranging from blue to white. These species are considered filter feeders, which means that they stay in one place and feed on small food particles in the water.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atya gabonensis |
| Common Name | Vampire Shrimp |
| Origin | West Africa - Gabon |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Price | $10 - $20 USD |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Water Temperature | 22°C - 28°C (72°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Decaying Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2 - 3 years |
| Size | 3 - 4 inches |
Even though vampire shrimp can reach up to 4 inches, they live only about 3 years, which is not very long, compared to fish that are similar in size.
Neocaridina Shrimp
One of the smallest freshwater shrimp is the neocaridina shrimp. Some people might argue, that these species are not good german blue ram tank mates, because rams often hunt shrimp and see them as food.
Nevertheless, not every german blue ram acts the same, and in some cases, this combination might work, in others it might won’t. German blue rams might try to eat neocaridina shrimp, but in most cases, these species are too quick.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neocaridina davidi |
| Common Name | Neocaridina Shrimp |
| Origin | Asia - Southeast China, Taiwan |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $3 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 18°C - 25°C (64°F - 77°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 8.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Organic Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Size | 0.5 - 1 inch |
If you want to risk and add these species with german blue rams, then there are a lot of different neocaridina shrimp colors to choose from, ranging from basic wild-type variants to more expensive carbon rili neocaridina shrimp.
Amano Shrimp
Another popular shrimp that could live with german blue rams is the amano shrimp. These species shouldn’t be seen as food by german rams, since they are way larger than neocaridina shrimp.
Amano shrimp are very common freshwater shrimp species. They are almost twice the size of a regular neocaridina shrimp, but when it comes to character, they act completely the same. Males often have dots on their body, while females have stripes.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caridina multidentata |
| Common Name | Amano Shrimp |
| Origin | Asia - Japan, Taiwan |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $4 USD |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Water Temperature | 20°C - 25°C (68°F - 77°F) |
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Organic Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Size | 2 inches |
Breeding amano shrimp in aquariums is actually almost impossible since amano shrimp babies need saltwater to survive their first life phases, and for that, you would need a separate tank with ideal conditions for breeding.
Ramshorn Snail
Snails can also be good tank mates for german blue rams. One of the most basic and easiest to take care of species is ramshorn snails.
Most people don’t particularly like ramshorn snails, since they often appear in aquariums unexpected from newly introduced plants. Nevertheless, these species are great at cleaning aquariums, so there are beneficial reasons to keep them.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Planorbidae family |
| Common Name | Ramshorn Snail |
| Origin | Global |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $1 - $2 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 18°C - 28°C (64°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 7.0 - 8.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Organic Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Size | 0.5 - 1 inch |
There are a lot of different ramshorn snail colors available, but some are more rare than others. Ramshorn snails are also known for breeding a lot if there is too much food, so be sure not to overfeed them, if you don’t want a population explosion.
Rabbit Snail
Moving on, rabbit snails can also live together with german blue rams. These species are extremely beautiful, and they are called “rabbits” because of their antennas, which are pretty long.
Rabbit snails are also known to partially burry themselves in sand. These species can become more active during the night and often explore their environment in later hours.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tylomelania spp. (Various species) |
| Common Name | Rabbit Snail |
| Origin | Indonesia - Sulawesi |
| Rarity | Uncommon |
| Price | $5 - $15 USD |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Water Temperature | 24°C - 30°C (75°F - 86°F) |
| pH | 7.0 - 8.5 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Organic Matter, Algae, Vegetables |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 2 - 3 years |
| Size | 2 - 3 inches |
There are a lot of different rabbit snail colors available in this hobby, but some are extremely rare and hard to come by, while others are fairly common.
Nerite Snail
Nerite snails have been one of the most popular aquatic creatures in the hobby, and they could definitely coexist with german blue rams in the same tank.
These species are relatively slow-moving snails, that occasionally explore their tank looking for food. You shouldn’t also be too worried about them breeding to insane amount of numbers like ramshorn snails, because nerite snails need brackish water to breed.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Neritina spp. (Various species) |
| Common Name | Nerite Snail |
| Origin | Global |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $15 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 18°C - 28°C (64°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 7.0 - 8.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 Gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Organic Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 1 - 2 years |
| Size | 0.5 - 1 inch |
There are a bunch of cool nerite snail types available, ranging from nerites with horns on their shells to more basic zebra nerite snails.
Mystery Snail
The last good german blue ram tank mate on this list is the popular mystery snail. It is a very known snail, that often can be found pretty much in every aquatic store.
Mystery snails have long antennas, that help them navigate for food, as well as smaller two antennas near the mouth part, that are also responsible for helping locate their next meal. Mystery snails are very active species, that love to explore their surroundings, and even fall off decorations and plants in the process.
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pomacea spp. (Various species) |
| Common Name | Mystery Snail |
| Origin | North and South America |
| Rarity | Common |
| Price | $2 - $10 USD |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Water Temperature | 18°C - 28°C (64°F - 82°F) |
| pH | 7.0 - 8.0 |
| Minimum Tank Size | 5 gallons |
| Diet | Detritivore - Algae, Organic Matter |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Lifespan | 1 - 3 years |
| Size | 1.5 - 2.5 inches |
There are also a couple of different mystery snail colors available in this hobby. The most popular is the golden mystery snail which is yellow in shell color and white in body color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Best German Blue Ram Tank Mates?
The best german blue ram tank mates would be aquatic species, that are not aggressive and are not too tiny to get eaten by the german blue ram. Living in different aquarium sections could also be an indicator, of whether a tank mate is suitable for german rams, or not.
Do German Blue Rams Eat Shrimp?
German blue rams might eat any aquarium shrimp, that can fit in their mouth. Baby shrimp could definitely be a target for these species, and even some smaller types, like neocaridina or ghost shrimp.
Writer's Thoughts
German blue rams are amazing fish, but they look even more cool when being kept in a community aquarium. There are so many interesting german blue ram tank mates, and I hope this list will help you decide which kind of species you would like to keep with german blue rams.
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