Can Kribensis Cichlid And Rams Coexist Peacefully?

Kribensis cichlid and Rams are both beautiful and popular fish species in the aquarium hobby, but can they coexist peacefully in the same tank? 

While there is no definitive answer to this question, it is possible for these two to get along under certain conditions. But, this may sound easier than it actually is. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the compatibility of these two wonderful species to figure out whether they make good tankmates or not!

Can Kribensis And Rams Make Good Tank Mates?

In general, Kribensis Cichlid are social tank fish that like being in pairs. They are not generally aggressive, but they tend to become pretty territorial during mating season. 

This is why some hobbyists like to describe them as semi-aggressive. Their size also makes them a bit threatening to other, smaller tank mates such as shrimps. 

When it comes to German Blue Ram Cichilds, these fish are more on the peaceful side. 

These gorgeous fish are known for their vibrant blue color and charming personalities. They are bottom dwellers by nature, which means they’ll spend most of their time exploring the substrate and hiding in caves or plants.

Can these two get along? Well, not really. But, the story doesn’t end here. 

Potential Problems

The fact that both species belong to the huge and majestic Cichlidae family does not mean that they are on the same page. Not all family members can get along well!

While it is not impossible to keep these two together, it is important to keep in mind the reasons why they may not make good tank mates. 

Both Fish Are Bottom Dwellers 

First and most obvious reason why these two could not get along well is because both the Kribensis Cichlid and Rams are diurnal bottom dwellers. 

This means that they both occupy the same space and could compete for resources like food and hiding spots.

But, this could be a bigger problem if you were to keep two aggressive species. 

For example, if you were to house two aggressive bottom dwellers like Bristlenose Plecos, they could become territorial and aggressive towards each other, resulting in stress and potential harm to one or both fish. 

When it comes to Kribensis Cichlid and Rams the biggest problem that could arise is when male and female Kribensis guard their freshly laid eggs. These fish are known as tough parents that will do anything to protect their babies! 

Now, if you were to have a few Rams swim near Krib’s territory during spawning, things could get ugly!

Kribensis Tend To Nip

It’s a classic case of “opposites attract,” but in the world of fish, Kribensis Cichlid and Rams might not be the perfect match. Why? 

Well, Kribensis has a bit of a nipping problem. These fish tend to nip at slow-swimming fish’s tails and fins, which can be a real pain for their tank mates. This is why they are commonly labeled as aggressive fish. 

This is not a great situation for Rams, whose quality of life can be seriously impacted by the constant nipping.

This behavior could occur if there are lots of fish placed in a small 5-gallon tank, as overcrowding often leads to stress and aggressive behavior.

Size

Well, if Kribensis cichlids and German Blue Ram cichlids were to live together in a tank, their size difference might cause some interesting dynamics!

The German Blue Rams might be a bit more confident, since they are slightly larger than the Kribensis cichlids. They might try to take the best hiding spots and be more assertive during feeding time.

On the other hand, the Kribensis cichlids might be a bit more scrappy and feisty, since they have to compete with slightly larger fish for resources. They might need to be quick and nip to get their fair share of food and hiding spots.

Temperature Incompatibility

Kribensis cichlids and German Blue Ram cichlids are not temperature compatible, so it could be a problem if they are kept together in the same tank.

Kribs are native to West Africa, where they live in warmer water temperatures that range from around 75-82°F. 

German Blue Rams, on the other hand, are native to South America and prefer slightly cooler water temperatures that range from around 78-84°F.

If these two species are kept in the same tank and the water temperature is set somewhere in the middle of their preferred range, it might not be ideal for either species. 

Are There Situations In Which The Two Can Coexist?

There is a bit of a disagreement among fishkeepers about whether Kribensis cichlids and Rams can coexist peacefully in the same tank. 

There are not many situations in which Kribensis cichlids and Rams can coexist peacefully. So, it is recommended not to keep them together in the first place.

However, you can try getting a larger tank and adding other fish. The more fish in the tank, the smaller each Krib’s territory will be, and they may not feel the need to harass Rams. 

Proper Tank Setup 

Kribensis are cave spawners, while Rams are rock spawners. 

By setting up caves and smooth rocks on opposite ends of the tank, the more dominant pair (likely the Kribs) will stake out their territory and the Rams will stay away. 

A hobbyist shared a story about a friend who had been in the fishkeeping hobby for longer than them. This friend had a 40-gallon breeder tank with driftwood, caves, and fake plants. 

They decided to add a pair of Kribensis cichlids to the tank, despite already having Rams in there. For a while, everything seemed to be fine, until the Kribs had fry. At that point, the Kribs began to venture out of their cave and into the Rams’ territory, causing chaos.

The key is to provide plenty of hiding places and territories for each species, and to establish proper sight lines so that fish don’t chase each other out of their territories.

Final Thoughts

Keeping Kribensis Cichlid and Rams together can be a tricky business. But, with proper planning, territory dividing, and providing the fish plenty of space and hiding places, it may not be impossible for the two to get along. 

However, it is generally not recommended to keep these species together as they are not compatible with each other.