Just A Littke Info On Rams?

[jord123]

Hi,

Having set up my first tank and cycled it without fish i have added the following:

5 x Neon tetras
3 x Mixed Corys
2 x Honey Gourami's
2 x Swordtails
4 X male Guppy's
2 x Rams

Q1) Will the rams be ok with these fish the lfs said so but i'd like to check!

Q2) One of my rams seems to be more colorful than the other especially it's pectoral fins is this a male and the ther a female?

Q3) The more colorful of the two seems to harrass the other a little is this ok?

i hope someone can put my mind at ease as i'm unsure whether the less colorful fish is just sick???

 

[thegnu]

hi jord
your rams should be fine with those fish.
your more colourful ram could be a male but the less colourful ram might also be a male as the more dominant ram will have its "winning dress on" showing the subordinate one who's boss. fish can change their colours to reflect their mood and we can use this to see if they are healthy. a sick or stressed fish will be normally a dark but uncolourful fish or could have a "washed out" look, light complexion but hardly any colour to it. your rams could also be female.
hope this helps

 

[Katchan]

2 more things, any chance of a pic of your rams, we could help sex them make sure you have a good pair, second what size is your tank? just helping to make sure your not ovestocked, rams dont react well to alot of stress and overstocking can constribute to this.

Andrew

 

[DarkEntity]

Sexing Rams is really easy once they are moderatly mature, the male will be larger and have a crown on the dorsal fin, with a long extended point at the rear of the same fin. Female is curved rear of dorsal fin, with a much lesser crown.

 

[jord123]

Thanks for all this guys,

It is helpful that there are people who know these fish like you! I have just put a cave (well a plant pot for know) with a hole cut in the side but they don't seem interested in it at all, i don't think they have even noticed it yet?

Neither of my Rams are as colouful as any in the photos i have seen although one gets quite bold stripes once the light is on him (i think him?) the more colouful one know has red along the top of his dorsal fin but and light blue spots on his fins but not like some of yours (extremely jealous!!!)

Just one question a crown? Is that the part at the front which sticks up furthest?