Can rams live with apistogramma?

Verdict
Yes, with care

Yes, with care. Rams and apistogramma can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 80–84°German blue ram 80–86°Apistogramma 75–84°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 5–7German blue ram 5–7Apistogramma 5–7
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

German blue ram · 2.5 inApistogramma · 3 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

German blue ramApistogramma
Temperature80–86 °F75–84 °F
pH5–75–7
Adult size2.5 in3.0 in
Minimum tank20 gal20 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atBottomBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreCarnivore

Better tank mates for rams

All german blue ram tank mates

Better tank mates for apistogramma

All apistogramma tank mates

Questions

Can rams live with apistogramma?

Yes, with care. Rams and apistogramma can share a tank, but watch one thing. Both claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.

What temperature suits both rams and apistogramma?

80–84 °F. Rams need 80–86 °F, apistogramma need 75–84 °F.

What size tank do rams and apistogramma need together?

At least 20 gal, set by the german blue ram. Add space for each extra fish.