German Blue Rams

[ARXC08]

I have 2 Blue Rams but i'm having a problem sexing them. I know i have one male, but not sure on the other one. I was told it was female by a guy at the LFS but you can't always trust them. The reason i'm not sure is because my suspected female ram doesn't have a pink belly. So can it still be a female?

 

[Katchan]

usually in shop tanks and sometimes until first breeding females wont show that "pink belly" so I'd give her a few days to relax and settle in, giving the right enviroment she should color up a bit and hopefully you can pick a pink spot then, or if possible post a pick or two of the fish in question

Andrew

 

[DarkElf]

Also, I've noticed on all my females and NONE of my males (but never read anywhere else, so could just be my fish) that my girls have blue "spangles" in the black spot on their sides. It's the earliest way I can sex them, long before the pink belly shows up, and it's been right every time so far. But yes, right after breeding and if stressed or if not quite mature, the pink is usually missing from the belly, so give it some time. Also, if your definate boy is not beating the crap out of her within 24 hours, I'd bet on an immature girl-these fish are super easy to pair and the boy won't normally attack the girl until she's already given him babies. Then all bets are off

 

[ARXC08]

usually in shop tanks and sometimes until first breeding females wont show that "pink belly" so I'd give her a few days to relax and settle in, giving the right enviroment she should color up a bit and hopefully you can pick a pink spot then, or if possible post a pick or two of the fish in question

My suspected female rams has been in my tank for months. But when i first got her she was very small, shes grown but maybe she still isn't mature yet?

 

[DarkElf]

usually in shop tanks and sometimes until first breeding females wont show that "pink belly" so I'd give her a few days to relax and settle in, giving the right enviroment she should color up a bit and hopefully you can pick a pink spot then, or if possible post a pick or two of the fish in question

My suspected female rams has been in my tank for months. But when i first got her she was very small, shes grown but maybe she still isn't mature yet?

Hm-now that's a bit trickier. Wish I could be more reassuring, but honestly, it's probably male. If I were you, I'd do this:

Take a REAL good look at the entire tank. If something was really stressing this fish-it's POSSIBLE the pink just hasn't showed up because she does not want to breed. Doubtful, but possible.

Second, take a real good look at both fish. Look for the spangles, plus take a REAL good look at the dorsal fin. If you've had this fish for months, if it's a boy the third ray of the dorsal fin will stick up like a punk rocker with spikes Usually very noticably.

Thirdly. Does the other fish harass it? If so, it's almosat certainly a boy. Every pair I've had has started with two fish in the same tank. Every set has paired up within one month-usually closer to 2 days..........

 

[pseud]

German Blue Rams typically have a life span of a year. They become sexually active very young, probably by the time you buy them at the fish store.

(DarkElf: Named after the Salvatore books?)

 

[DarkElf]

German Blue Rams typically have a life span of a year. They become sexually active very young, probably by the time you buy them at the fish store.

(DarkElf: Named after the Salvatore books?)

Yup-Usually breeding by three months IME.......

No. Named after being 4'9" and in my husband and brothers opinions-"pointy eared" LOL. Been a nickname for almost 30 years now.........

 

[ARXC08]

Well i took a pic with my camera phone not good quality but maybe you can help sex it?

Belly sort of looks a little pink in that picture but i think it just the lighting or something?

 

[DarkElf]

It's a _bit_ blurry-but if I had to guess 80% sure it's a girl. If you can get it with it's dorsal up, can guess within 95% range even if it's blurry-that fish is definantly full grown.

 

[CroNiC]

It's a _bit_ blurry-but if I had to guess 80% sure it's a girl. If you can get it with it's dorsal up, can guess within 95% range even if it's blurry-that fish is definantly full grown.

Ya you can see the pinkish belly and i would say its a girl.