Help With My New Bolivian Rams!

[buffalogal]

I just got a pair of Bolivian rams. It was really busy the day I got them and I was mostly focusing on getting a pair. Unfortunately I didn't notice that the male I got has a weird face. He almost looks like he has cheekbones, sort of like a parrotfish. The gills don't lay completely flat, also like some parrotfish I've seen. I called the lfs to see if I can exchange him. The kid that answered didn't seem to be listening to me and said that was common in males. Is that true? I haven't seen any images online or in books that show this. The female doesn't have this. Anyone else's experience? I regret I don't have a way to post an image. I would like to return him if there is something wrong. He doesn't appear to be ill. Thanks for your advice. They are both juveniles. He is maybe an inch and a half long.

 

[buffalogal]

After a lot of searching online I found mention of rams with a fused jaw. I brought the little guy back today because I: a didn't want to breed them with such a high chance of them having a defect that effected their daily life and b didn't want the female to get attached to a male with a possibly shortened lifespan. (He had trouble eating because of it, not merely cosmetic) LFS was very accomodating and agreed with me. The new boy ram is quite handsome and follows the female around like a puppy.

Has anyone else ever seen a bolivian with a jaw deformity?

 

[SJ2K]

Not heard of it, I have now though

Glad you got it all sorted

 

[Alistriwen]

Everyone's Bolivians breed except mine I have 6 from 2 different lfs lol.

 

[SJ2K]

If you've had all those pairs and no luck, double check your tank features match those desired by the fish.