My New Rams

[Biulu]

I have a 2 month old 180 litre set-up with wood and lots of plants. My pH is lower than normal due to the wood and this has encouraged me to try it with rams (ramirezis as they call them here). Normally my pH is around 8 - 8.5 but now I have it at 7.5. The guy in the fish market (we have wholesale fish markets here with stunningly low prices) told me he kept his at 7.2. I did a very acclimatisation and it looks like it worked because they are out and about. Eating well too. So that gives me good hopes for their survival

I think I have 2 males as one is somewhat territorial towards the other. Anyway, is somebody able to sex them for me based on these pictures? Thanks in advance!

 

[PDSimon]

When you say 2 months, is it already cycled 2 months ago, so the tank is fairly new? just curious

Rams look amazing hope it all goes well

 

[hamfist]

It would help to have side-on pics of each individual fish through flat glass. Very difficult to tell with the pics you have given.

Hope you are aware that you have specially bred "long-fin" versions of the ram.

 

[roadmaster]

I have heard reports that there are those who are breeding variants of these fish in increasingly harder water and thus some are able to thrive. I believe these fishes to be few in numbers, and the vast majority of them still fair much better in soft acidic conditions.
I forsee problems with water changes if your tapwater is much more alkaline than water in the aquarium. These fish do not enjoy sudden changes in water chemistry.
The photo of the first fish looks to be a male. Cannot tell from photo of the other.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

I have a 2 month old 180 litre set-up with wood and lots of plants. My pH is lower than normal due to the wood and this has encouraged me to try it with rams (ramirezis as they call them here). Normally my pH is around 8 - 8.5 but now I have it at 7.5. The guy in the fish market (we have wholesale fish markets here with stunningly low prices) told me he kept his at 7.2. I did a very acclimatisation and it looks like it worked because they are out and about. Eating well too. So that gives me good hopes for their survival

I think I have 2 males as one is somewhat territorial towards the other. Anyway, is somebody able to sex them for me based on these pictures? Thanks in advance!

wow, i can't sex them but those are reeally nice rams.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Very pretty Rams

Could you take some side view shots, as it would be easier to try and sex them then.

 

[Biulu]

When you say 2 months, is it already cycled 2 months ago, so the tank is fairly new? just curious

Rams look amazing hope it all goes well

Yes, the tank is fairly new, but planted heavily from the start and with a filter with mature media, so need for cycling.

It would help to have side-on pics of each individual fish through flat glass. Very difficult to tell with the pics you have given.

Hope you are aware that you have specially bred "long-fin" versions of the ram.

Yes, I do. That is why they were more expensive than the 'normal' ones

I have heard reports that there are those who are breeding variants of these fish in increasingly harder water and thus some are able to thrive. I believe these fishes to be few in numbers, and the vast majority of them still fair much better in soft acidic conditions.
I forsee problems with water changes if your tapwater is much more alkaline than water in the aquarium. These fish do not enjoy sudden changes in water chemistry.
The photo of the first fish looks to be a male. Cannot tell from photo of the other.

These fish were bred in Mexico in harder water, so yes, they are 'used' to it and thrive. Mine have been very active and healthy eaters since I got them, so I think everything is ok. I think I have 2 males, as none of the fish have a 'pink/reddish' belly.

Thanks for all the replies and nice comments