Bolivian Rams

[saratogaslim]

Hello all, love my new Bolivian Ram! I have been wanting to find this fish, but they don't seem to be in the LFS very often. I pounced when I found one yesterday. She (I *think* it's a she) is still stressed, but after about 24 hours she's starting to be a little more colorful, and definitely curious about her surroundings today instead of hiding in a cave or plant. Excellent! Maybe the frozen brine shrimp helped.

I have a few questions...I'd researched this species, but that was a while back since I couldn't find one. First, could someone verify "her" as an actual female?

Also, does this fish need a friend? I keep reading that they do fine "alone or in pairs," but am unsure what's best, since I just grabbed this little guy while I could. Will be glad to seek out another one. In the meantime, the Ram seems to hang out with my blue Gourami occasionally. They do bicker once in a while.

For reference, the tank is 20 gallons long, lots of plants/rocks/caves (false plants). Fish are the Ram, one male Gourami, and 5 neon tetra. Very diligent about water changes/cleaning...usually I do it once a week or every 10 days max.

Thanks for any thoughts...the Ram is a super cool fish!

 

[mark4785]

I'd hazard a guess that the Bolivian Ram you have is female. The extensions of the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin would have to be slightly longer for it to be a male.

Bolivian rams are best kept as a pair and due to your tank size that would be sufficient. Stear clear of adding anymore Dwarf Cichlids as they can get very territorial towards each other which many LFS' often omit to mention.

 

[saratogaslim]

I'd hazard a guess that the Bolivian Ram you have is female. The extensions of the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin would have to be slightly longer for it to be a male.

Bolivian rams are best kept as a pair and due to your tank size that would be sufficient. Stear clear of adding anymore Dwarf Cichlids as they can get very territorial towards each other which many LFS' often omit to mention.

Thanks, Mark! I thought that might be the case, but hadn't been sure. I didn't much want to add a second one until I had a good idea on the sex of this one. Will it be difficult to add a new fish, territory-wise, now that this one's had a bit to settle in, or are they likely to pair up quickly? Also, should I be concerned with the Rams and the Gourami? They seem fine and even interested in one another, but they do seem to want to argue sometimes.

The LFS, even my favorite one, doesn't always give great advice. Hopefully I can find a friend for this one easily.

 

[ajs2294]

I'd hazard a guess that the Bolivian Ram you have is female. The extensions of the caudal fin and the posterior of the dorsal fin would have to be slightly longer for it to be a male.

Bolivian rams are best kept as a pair and due to your tank size that would be sufficient. Stear clear of adding anymore Dwarf Cichlids as they can get very territorial towards each other which many LFS' often omit to mention.

Thanks, Mark! I thought that might be the case, but hadn't been sure. I didn't much want to add a second one until I had a good idea on the sex of this one. Will it be difficult to add a new fish, territory-wise, now that this one's had a bit to settle in, or are they likely to pair up quickly? Also, should I be concerned with the Rams and the Gourami? They seem fine and even interested in one another, but they do seem to want to argue sometimes.

The LFS, even my favorite one, doesn't always give great advice. Hopefully I can find a friend for this one easily.

Adding another Ram shouldn't be a big problem sexing to find a male may be a bit tricky though. As for the gourami they should be fine in the long run

 

[saratogaslim]

I am in luck! A store nearby just got a shipment of them...excellent! Off to hopefully get a friend for my new gal after work tonight.

 

[Rubyuk]

I am in luck! A store nearby just got a shipment of them...excellent! Off to hopefully get a friend for my new gal after work tonight.

I've had Bolivian Rams in with 2 pearl Gouramis for over a year with no problems. They are super cool fish So much so I'd love to add some more but have always been put off until reading the other thread ''how many bolivians in a 180 litre tank' which suggests if you have the space you can easily have 4 or 5? I think my two are both males despite asking for a m/f pair but they did say they couldn't guarantee it as I understand that they are very very difficult to sex at the age/size sold by the shops? If I have 2 males i'd love to add 2 females.

Any thoughts from anyone or anyone with experience of keeping a group would be much appreciated

 

[mbsqw1d]

I got myself 2 Bolivian Rams once, hoping I had one male and one female. They are difficult to sex! I ended up with two males - and they fought, A LOT! After a while I lost one to callumanus worms My solitary Bolivian Ram now hangs around with my Dwarf Gourami quite happily!

The best way to sex a Bolivian is to look at it's 'vent'(sex parts ).
It's hard to make it out on your photo, but if it tapers to a point, it is male. A more rounded, smaller, blunt vent is likely to be female.

Also, the head is quite rounded on a female, which is what leads me to believe yours may be female (lucky you!)

http/www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&hl=en-GB&v=jV7fGRDzwlw

 

[~T~]

They are extremely difficult to sex. I have a few pictures of some I used to keep in the act of spawning that might help. I do remember my male had much longer pointed ventral fins but other than that they looked identical.

 

[Glenbo1981]

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