My Blue Rams - What Are They Doing?

[SouthernCross]

Hi All!

Am back after quite a lengthy break from the forums. Have started working on my tank again and am right back into it!

I got two blue rams recently, about three weeks ago. The appeared to be swimming together in the shop tank and guarding a little hole that was dug at the back, so thought I might have got a pair.

Got home, they were in the tank less than four hours and they laid eggs on my piece of driftwood. They guarded them ferociously for the next 48 hours, appearing to be taking 'shifts', one would guard, then the other would return and they would swap. Very cute to watch. Got up the next morning and no more eggs. Assuming they got eaten.

Now since the first time there has been no more 'laying behaviour'. One tends to chase the other around the tank quite a bit, however. They both still show great colours.

On closer examination I think I have two females. Both have black on their 'stomach fins', and some blue spots across their black patch, but not necessarily covering the whole patch (my understandig of how you sex them?) But neither seem to have a pink stomach. Their back half seems to have a beautiful violet sheen to it though. So I am a bit confused. One does seem to have a 'rounder' shape than the other one that appears more elongated when viewed from the side, but otherwise they look the same.

Would two females exhibit the behaaviour (egg laying and protecting!) shown the first 48 hours I had them? Or is it possible I have a pair? I assume at least ONE must be female in order to produce eggs!
Is the black on the stomach fins foolproof way of sexing or is it possible I have a male and therefore a pair?

I am a bit confused and would love some advice! I would definitely love to see them try and breed again.

Cheers

 

[creeker]

I've always sexed them by the males having the tall spike at the front of the dorsal fin.

 

[SouthernCross]

I've been told that's not always a reliable method....

Can no one tell me if the behaviour I saw in the first few hours was indicative of having a pair or is it still possible I have two egg-guarding girls?

Thank you

 

[Twinklecaz]

Hello! I have a similar question.

Had my 2 "female" GBRs for 2 weeks now (both have pink stomachs) but tonight I was watching all my fish feed when I noticed 1 of them hadn't moved much from the same peice of bogwood since yesterday, just occasionally to get food. and I just saw her chase a neon away too! Had a closer look and yes you've guessed it......lots of little white eggs!

Same quesion as above really...would 2 females be doing this or do I actually have a male and a female?

 

[fluttermoth]

Two females will often 'spawn' together if there no males about.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Ah ok thanks. That's prob for the best. How would I know if I do have a male and the eggs have been fertilised?

 

[fluttermoth]

Rams can be difficult to sex. The best way is to look at the back edge of the dorsal and anal fins; if those are pointed and extend out past where the tail starts, the fish is male; if they're rounded and stop level with where the tail starts, then that's a female.

Fertilized eggs will be pale pink/orange; infertile eggs turn white very soon after being laid.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Thanks for your help. Yeah it looks like I was right first time and I do have 2 females then. Just looked again and all the eggs have gone anyway so I'm guessing my Platy found them!

This has made me think about getting a male and trying to breed them though!

 

[SouthernCross]

Given I have two females by the sounds of it, if I manage to locate a male and bring one home, is it likely to cause problems? As in, if the male pairs off with one of the females, are they likely to gang up on the alone female and kill her? Or are trios ok for rams?

Thanks

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah, what Southerncross said!

 

[SouthernCross]

Anyone?

 

[fluttermoth]

Rams are better in pairs; they're not harem spawners like Apistigrammas. There is every chance that a mated pair would bully the odd female.