Balloon German Blue Rams

[VidVid]

hey.
im thinking if trying to breed something new in my tank. i was leaning towards common german blue but want to try the unique balloon morph. I heard different opinions on them on the net. Some disregard them, others love them and raise their fry without problems. I really want to try breeding balloon german blue rams in my 10gallon. Is there any thing important that i need to know before purchasing these guys and breeding them???
Thankyou for any advice.

 

[parker313]

Personally, I would steer clear. In general, the balloon rams tend to be even more sensitive and delicate and weak than the German Blue Ram. If you're a first time breeder, stick with regular German Blue Rams, Bolivian Rams a pair of kribs (too big for a 10g though) or another non-variant type of fish. I'm sure that people are having luck breeding them, but my guess is that it's the minority. If you do decide to go for it, make sure you know where the fish are coming from and that the LFS (if that's who you're getting them from) has had them for a while and they are doing OK.

 

[Waterbox]

Based on my experience they are great fish. I have 3 females and 1 male and they spawn every 1-2 weeks. So far they have not been good parents, but they're learning. Just ask the LFS where they get their rams and make sure they look healthy, although they almost never do in the store due to stress.

As far as them being more delicate, that is not necessarily true. All Blue Rams are pretty delicate, but I wouldn't say balloons are any more fragile. I have had mine live through 2 Ich infections and for a while live in Ph near 8.0 without any problems.

 

[VidVid]

ok great.
i will do research on their needs before i purchase them. And, i remember the lfs selling a lot of these guys in their tank and i was wondering how would you distinquish a male from a female?
Thanks.

 

[Waterbox]

Sexing Rams

I think we covered about all of it in this thread.