Need Help Confirming Gender Of Bolivian Rams

[Gvilleguy]

That entry reads just like my Ram journal entry when I added mine to the tank! I found the smaller fish got used to the Rams quickly, not being scared after a day or so.

Ram Journal

 

[FishLover66]

LOL ! I've seen it--was one of the things that helped me decide to get some Bolivians--beautiful pics/videos and tons of info.

The Bolivians are definitely my favorite fish--they are like PUPPIES! As soon as they see me or it's feeding time, they come up to the front of the tank and go crazy. FUNNY! I had herd they had personality, but this is so darn CUTE!

They've really colored up nicely and the neons are acting their usual typer, bickering selves, so it didn't take them long at all to figure out the rams were of no threat.

Once I get my camera working again (can't find the battery charger--darn kids), I'll post some nice pictures and some videos of them.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Now I'm on the other side of that spectrum...my only remaining Ram is very reclusive and only comes out to feed. No longer greets me like a puppy like he used to do all the time. Seemed to start being like this when the other Ram died a few months ago.

 

[FishLover66]

Aw, that's sad. Are you going to try to introduce some new rams or do you think your existing one will butcher them? I know it's hard to introduce new cichlids once they are established. Poor guy.

 

[Gvilleguy]

No - I plan to let the old guy live out his days in peace. He has to be at least two years old now. My future planning is to try and get a pair of apisto cockatoos.

 

[FishLover66]

Oh, I didn't realize he was a couple years old. Yeah, probably best to let him be. He doesn't need any more stress in his life.

Ooh, Apistos--very cool. They are very pretty and interesting. Good luck! They are very hard to find around here.

 

[Gvilleguy]

I've never seen an apisto in a fish store here in South Carolina. I'll have to investigate to see who carries them.

 

[FishLover66]

ALRIGHTYTHEN! Things have definitely become very interesting with the three omigos lately! It appears that the original two I purchased at Petsmart, which I thought were girls, are actually male and female and are now a pair. Their colors have exploded lately and last night they started to become very aggressive toward the male I recently purchased (poor guy). This morning, I noticed them exhibiting mating behavior (dancing around each other sideways) and cleaning a large rock surrounded by some plants. They are not only aggressive toward the new male, but are protecting the area where the rock is (no eggs yet) and started chasing away the cories that come near.

I won't be surprised if I find eggs on that rock when I get home today. I'm very excited to see this through the entire process, but a bit concerned about the safety of my other fish--especially the cories.

Looks like I'll need to rehome the other male, since my tank is definitely not big enough for him to be safe.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Congrats on the pairing activity!

 

[FishLover66]

Thanks! I'm very excited. Wish my camera was operational so I could take pictures and videos!

 

[FishLover66]

OKAAAAY! Another update. Now I'm REALLY confused. Apparently, the questionable female/male ram that I purchased from Petsmart that I suspected was a female, but then thought it must be a male because it paired with the one I was sure was a female is now almost certainly a female.... The eggs that were laid a couple weeks ago never developed and I thought there must have been something wrong with my tank parameters (too high nitrates--40?). So I vacuumed the aquarium and did an almost 50% water change.

Over the last few days, I've noticed that female (or male) ram behave very friskily with the male I purchased recently and both of them are chasing away the ram I know is female. Also, I noticed that the breeding tube on female that recently laid eggs is much smaller than it was when she was ready to lay eggs and now the other female, that I though must be a male, now has a HUGE breeding tube and is acting like she's ready to lay eggs. Is it possible that a female could be 'confused' about their sexual orientation and pair with another female?

This morning, I noticed that the ram in question is rubbing her/his/her belly against the bottom of the tank, cleaning one of the rocks, darting around, and lip locking/dancing with the male. This should be very interesting.

 

[FishLover66]

Ok, guessing over. I DEFINITELY have two girls and a boy. The other girl laid eggs on a rock and is fiercly protecting them with the male. They are both brutally chasing away the other female, poor thing. Now maybe these eggs will develop and hatch in a couple days, hopefully.