German Blue Rams

Question
Hi there, you helped me a while ago when I was starting to plan my community discus tank. Well we are almost at the stage where we're ready to start introducing the first fish, the tank is 350 UK litres and we have decided to put in a small group of diamond tetras along with a nice shoal of 10 or more rummynose, on the bottom I was thinking one or two of the smaller prettier plecos (although my husband saw the pricetag of the zebra plecs and said no way ;-) ) and my husband thinks that when it comes to rams we should just have a pair as we don't want it to look overcrowded when we are eventually ready to add the discus. I have done as much research on german blue rams as I can online but I keep reading alot about them breeding, now if that were to happen in our tank I don't think we have room to set up yet another tank for the fry so how can I make sure the rams don't breed or is it not as common as everybody makes out? Would getting a same sex pair cause territorial arguments or could this be the solution? Also I'm not sure how much you know aboput plecs but in your opinion which ones would be suited to the discus/ram enviroment and stay out of the rams way on the bottom of the tank? I've heard positive things about the bristlenose plecs but i just can't bring myself to find them attractive and with all the beautiful fish that will be going in this tank I would like one or two different specimens that are relativley easy on the eye! :-)
Look forward to hearing from you
Kind regards
Chloe

Answer
Hi Chloe,
You would actually be better without a Pleco.  The Bristlenose is quite messy, wastes lots, and the Discus tank must be kept very clean.  The Zebra would have been perfect because he stays small, and is beautiful, but the price is high.  There are also the King Tiger Pleco, which grows to 3-4 inches, The Bif White Spotted Pleco which grows to 4 inches, The Peckoltia Pulcher which is very pretty grows to 3-4 inches and is in a good price range.  Also, the Gold Nugget, which is gorgeous, grows to 3-4 inches.   These Pleco stay small, and do not waste as much as others do.
As for the rams, it is not that easy to have a pair that will spawn.  When it comes to these little fish, I believe in male, and female in the tank.  If they should spawn, they are not overly aggressive, and young fish will eat the spawn.  They are not good parents when young.   I don't like putting fish in of the same gender, never having a mate..."I don't know, it just me, lol"  especially the little rams.  It is up to you.
I also want to mention, I have seen plecos sucking on Discus fish.  I don't want to alarm you, but it happens.  Plecos sometimes get a taste of the Discus milky slime, and ohhhhhhhhhhh yummy, so he continues to suck on them for food.  Like I said, this is rare, but it happens.  You will have a beautiful aquarium, and I'm with you on the Bristlenose...what a sight for sore eyes...lol!
Hope this helps
Lynda