Anybody here keeping (or kept in the past) adult shrimp with German Blue Rams? LFS wasn't sure if this would work out, but their mouths aren't that big. I know they will eat babies (my cardinals do that too). If need be, I can get some rather large Amanos in that tank. My other concern is that I do keep the water rather warm at 82 - 83° in this tank with rams, cards, otos, pandas and pencils. I know shrimp prefer cooler waters (esp. for breeding).

Ted,

I would say the shrimp are okay as long as they are adults......

Rams are pretty peaceful, but if they breed or spawn, then be careful as they will attack anyone that comes near their brood.

That is why dwarf cichlids and corys do not always do well, as the cories are substrate dwellers, which is where the dwarf are breeding.

Not sure about the temps and shrimp.

Thanks, Gerry, I'll give the amanos a try.

Also thanks for the warning about rams and corys. From the looks of the acitivity, I'm guessing that 2 of my rams are thinking of breeding -- one male has been almost playfully chasing a female around a lot (he seems to stop when she stops, so he's not really being aggressive). Not sure if this is breeding behavior or not -- haven't read up on it. If the rams start attacking my pandas, they are going back to the LFS. Pandas are not real bright when it comes to territories -- mine used to get pounded over and over by SAEs that were protecting a wafer or other food.

Ted,

The real issue with cories and dwarves is that cories tend to feed and move in packs. Even 5 or 6 small pandas would be too much for a pair of rams to fend off. They just get overwhelmed defending the brood site....

As you mention, they pay no heed to fish warnings, so they would be especially bad IMO.

OK, thanks for the clarification ... I had misunderstood.