Bolivian Ram Sexing

[neo83]

Hi

When i got my bolivian ram 3 months ago and up until now, i was of the impression that it's a male. I was planning to get a female for him and have been reading a bit more on the sexing to make sure of his sex. I understand they are a difficult fish to determine the sex. I have been following this bolivian ram sexing link.

Please could you take a look at my ram's pictures at Bolivian Ram Pictures and confirm whether it's a male or a female?

May I please ask you to explain why you think it's a male or a female?

Thanks

 

[meguro]

im fairly certain its male

 

[neo83]

im fairly certain its male

Thanks meguro. Could you please explain as to how you came to the conclusion, i mean based on what features. Sorry to be a pain. i just want to make sure as i dont want to end up having two fish of the same sex

 

[meguro]

what size tank is it in? how many apistos do u have in with it (or any other fish)?

it doesnt have a round tummy like females do. the fish appears to be rather young but already has pointed dorsal and anal fins, it has developed blue specks in some of its fins, its developing tail extensions on the caudal fin, its ventral fins are long-ish and pointed, has a bumped head shape and small vent

 

[FreedomFighter]

Hmm.

He seems to have a bit of a sunken stomach. This has 2 problems attached to it.

It could be internal bacterial infection.

And.

It makes sexing nay-on impossible.

Has (he) always had this sunken stomach? Any fish losses recently? I don't mean to worry you just making sure everything is ok. But it does appear to be male to me, but again, really, it's down to if he has a sunken stomach or not.

 

[neo83]

Thanks meguro. Please dont take my comments below in a wrong way, but i'm only trying to be sure

what size tank is it in? how many apistos do u have in with it (or any other fish)?

It's in a 125 litre (33 US gallons) tank with an Apistogramma Viejita pair (hopefully).

it doesnt have a round tummy like females do.

Agree

the fish appears to be rather young but already has pointed dorsal and anal fins

I have read that even female is capable of showing these elongated fins. (according to the sexing link at least)

it has developed blue specks in some of its fins

its developing tail extensions on the caudal fin, its ventral fins are long-ish and pointed

The caudal fin tail extension doesnt seem to be as extended as a male like in here My link. May be it's still a bit young as you say

Also, according to this link My link the ventral/pelvic fins can be elongated on the females as well.

has a bumped head shape

In pictures 11-17 from my album link above, the head seems roundish it looks bumpy from side angles only because its eyes are protruding above a bit (does have big eyes though). Do you agree with this? or is it my eye sight?

and small vent

This seems to be the only confirmed way to sex the bolivians it seems according to what i read . I couldn't be sure whether it's small/big for a fish being a newbie and as you say it's small hopefully turns me towards it being a male.

Also the dorsal fins, the first three black fins are all of the same height and none of them is really as extended as you see in males, and also not really extended when compared to the other rays.

Thanks

 

[neo83]

Hmm.

He seems to have a bit of a sunken stomach. This has 2 problems attached to it.

It could be internal bacterial infection.

And.

It makes sexing nay-on impossible.

Has (he) always had this sunken stomach? Any fish losses recently? I don't mean to worry you just making sure everything is ok. But it does appear to be male to me, but again, really, it's down to if he has a sunken stomach or not.

you definitely got me worried there . I did not see any difference in his appearance in terms of the stomach. i think he is like this since i got him. Havent had any fish loss for more than a month and all stats are fine. He eats regularly between flakes, spirulina flakes, granules and daphnia.

Thanks

 

[FreedomFighter]

I went back and took a closer look through all the pictures.

I think maybe it just looks sunken from a single picture, in all the rest he looks fine. My sincere apologies.

In which case, that makes him, definitely a him. If you ask me.

 

[neo83]

I went back and took a closer look through all the pictures.

I think maybe it just looks sunken from a single picture, in all the rest he looks fine. My sincere apologies.

In which case, that makes him, definitely a him. If you ask me.

Thanks FreedomFighter. That will calm me down a bit.
In terms of the sexing, could you please explain your thoughts on your conclusion please? Sorry to be a pain.
Thanks

 

[FreedomFighter]

If you look at the area between the stomach, and the anal fin, then there is a change in body shape.

With females, after the stomach the body curves upwards before the anal fin.

In males, after the stomach the body curves downwards before the anal fin.

if you understand what i'm trying to say.

 

[neo83]

If you look at the area between the stomach, and the anal fin, then there is a change in body shape.

With females, after the stomach the body curves upwards before the anal fin.

In males, after the stomach the body curves downwards before the anal fin.

if you understand what i'm trying to say.

Thanks FreedomFighter. two votes for it being a male till now

 

[meguro]

Thanks meguro. Please dont take my comments below in a wrong way, but i'm only trying to be sure

fin extensions and blue specks usually always develop sooner in males than females. ur fish is quite young looking but is already developing them. dorsal crest doesnt develop until later and is present in females too

If you look at the area between the stomach, and the anal fin, then there is a change in body shape.

this can be unreliable

 

[FreedomFighter]

If you look at the area between the stomach, and the anal fin, then there is a change in body shape.

this can be unreliable

I have been told it is the most reliable way (bar using a magnifying glass and checking the sexual organs). So, please, tell me how this is unreliable, any more so than looking at finnage and colouration.

 

[meguro]

is it male or female?

 

[FreedomFighter]

That, most likely a female.