Can rams live with rainbow sharks?
Verdict
Yes, with care
Yes, with care. Rams and rainbow sharks can share a tank, but watch one thing. They only share 80°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What to watch
- Watch outThey only share 80°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
- Watch outBoth claim territory on the bottom. Give each its own cave and plenty of floor space.
- Watch outRainbow sharks chase other bottom fish out of their patch.
What works
- pH 6.5–7 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| German blue ram | Rainbow shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–86 °F | 72–80 °F |
| pH | 5–7 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 6.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom | Bottom |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | One per tank |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for rams
All german blue ram tank mates
Better tank mates for rainbow sharks
Questions
Can rams live with rainbow sharks?
Yes, with care. Rams and rainbow sharks can share a tank, but watch one thing. They only share 80°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What temperature suits both rams and rainbow sharks?
80–80 °F. Rams need 80–86 °F, rainbow sharks need 72–80 °F.
What size tank do rams and rainbow sharks need together?
At least 55 gal, set by the rainbow shark. Add space for each extra fish.