Bolivian Rams

[paulioo]

I've just went and bought myself two Bolivian Rams / Butterfly Rams, but i'd like to know if i've got a male and a female.

fish 1:

Fish 2:

Both together:

I looooooove these fish. They're still investigating their new surroundings, hopefully their colours will show up even better once they're settle in.

Paul.

 

[wwestar2000]

IDK it is kinda hard. I think if one were to be more male it would be the 1st one. But they look too similar to me. Im not sure if there male or female but i think that there the same sex. I think its better for us to wait till there color comes up before we make the chioce if its male or female.

 

[abstract]

i agree it is nearly impossible from the pictures...with bolivan rams you won't have the obvious pink belly like blue rams (in most cases)....the most distinguishing feature is that the first two spikes on the males dorsal fin are usually much longer than the females....unfortuantely none of the pick sshow the dorsal fully extended, so you'll have to take a look yourself...

my GUESS would be that fish #2 is def. a female based on the first picture...if the other fish's dorsal fin looks the same, then that is also a female

 

[Spyderdf]

i duno the sexs but nice rams

 

[paulioo]

Ok, i've been trying all night to look at the dorsal fins to see if any were longer. I've also managed to get two pictures of both fish with thier fins flared.

So what do you guys think, do i have a male and a female pair?

Fishy #1

Fishy #2

Fishy #2 with #1 in background

From what I can see, one has longer dorsal fins than the other. If i'm correct then hopefully they'll with each other.

Paul

 

[wwestar2000]

So you were trying to pair them off? Most likely won't work. Cichlids like to chose there partners on there own and are somewhat picky. It's best to have at least4 to try to make a pair. Even though that still won't securly give you a pair. If they do turn out to be a pair. Your lucky!

 

[abstract]

not exactly true from my experiences...many cichilds are picky, that is for sure...but rams in general can learn to pair off over time even if they don't do so right away...

oh, and it is still hard to tell from the pic....you tell us - does fish #1 dorsal look like fish #2, or are they longer? if the first ray or two are longer then chances are fish #1 is a male...if not, it looks like you have two females...but bolivians can be very hard to sex!

So you were trying to pair them off? Most likely won't work. Cichlids like to chose there partners on there own and are somewhat picky. It's best to have at least4 to try to make a pair. Even though that still won't securly give you a pair. If they do turn out to be a pair. Your lucky!

[snapback]843878[/snapback]​

 

[paulioo]

I seem to have gotten my numbering mixed up. Anyway one fish does have the first few dorsal fins longer than the other.

I'm not specifically trying to pair them up, I just thought i'd be nice if they did. But i think you may be right about being fussy. The one with the longer dorsal fins (with the darker strip over its eye) keeps chasing the other one away when it gets too close
But then a few minutes later they swim about quite happily together.

Anyway thanks for your help ppl. Whether i've got a mixed pair or not I still like them.

Paul.

 

[Aussie_Star]

i reckon both are males female have a rounder head,