Picky Male Bolivian Ram

[BlueSwordtail]

Hi guys,
 
I have a male bolivian ram (Ramos) that doesn't want to pair up with any females but he has always been so vibrant with his pink fins and other colours. At first, I bought him and a female...was hoping that they would pair-up but he always chases her away; as if he can't stand the sight of her and she would hide away from his sight. It's been like half a year, they are both fully grown but the male still hates her. She doesn't seem stressed out by it- she still has her normal colours (not dull grey), usually just keeps out of his sight. 
 
Anyway, the other day, I thought it would be nice to get Ramos someone so I bought 2 smaller females. I was thrilled to see him getting on better with one of the two new females. However, during feeding today he chased all of them away. The new females, the one that was being treated better, is still displaying her colours nicely so I guess she is still "into" him (despite being half his size); the other new female is a bit paler. 
 
Some people say I should give them at least a week to see if they will pair up or not. My water parameters have been constant and none of the fish is violent towards one another. I want him to pair-up and be happy but this grumpy guy is hard to understand. Is Ramos displaying normal behaviours? I have seen younger males and females spawn...I got him when he was quite young from the LFS (along with the first female), is there a chance that he has paired up with some other fish at the LFS? He is such a lovely fish and is peaceful with any other fish in the tank, just not towards his own kind...
 
I look forward to your replies because I am very curious  

 

[BerryAttack]

when saying he chases them, is he going towards the lip area. usually it shows that he wants to test the female to make sure that she is "worthy". keep at it, and with the increase of females he should find a mate.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Do you have some side-on pictures of your rams?

 

[BlueSwordtail]

when saying he chases them, is he going towards the lip area. usually it shows that he wants to test the female to make sure that she is "worthy". keep at it, and with the increase of females he should find a mate.

I've never seen him chasing any of the females towards the lip area / 

 

[BlueSwordtail]

 



 
 

 



I don't know how to attach their pictures on here...using a mac makes it harder too...

 

[BerryAttack]

 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 


I don't know how to attach their pictures on here...using a mac makes it harder too...
 

just upload it to photobucket, then link the pictures.. i find that is the easiest way

 

[BlueSwordtail]

ok one sec..let me try









First one is Ramos, second is the oldest female, the last two are the new females (3rd pic is the female that is being treated relatively well by Ramos). They are more colourful in reality but those pictures weren't so good and it's hard to take a decent picture when they keep on moving

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Well done I meant to ask, what size is the tank both in volume and dimensions?
 
I was going to have a go a sexing them for you but I can't really tell from these pictures. Also, when you mentioned the pink colouring I thought of German Blue Rams because I always think of Bolivians' colour as red lol.
 
If you do indeed have 3 females and 1 male, you will eventually get a pair and if your tank is big enough they will establish their own territories and live happily ever after. I wonder if there's a male in the mix though...have a look at this guide and see what you think: http/www.brc.moonfruit.com/#/sexing-guide/4528902946
 
When you add numbers to the group they are going to tussle for a while until they work out the pecking order and where everyone's space is. Being rams they are unlikely to actually do any damage to each other. Just make sure there are some clearly defined spaces in your tank, maybe by placing decor and plants carefully, where the rams can establish their own space. If there's just one open space or one lset apart section, they will all being fighting for the same place. 

 

[BlueSwordtail]

Hi AlmostAwesome,
 
Sorry for the late reply, I just got home from work. The tank is 55 gal, 48" x 13" x 21" I think. It is kind of heavily planted with about 65-70% of the area covered with plants and I have floating plants as well (used to have a nice java moss carpet as well; so the tank was about 95% covered in plants but I went to university so it died). 
 
Well, the male doesn't chase the 2 new females that much(I'm certain that at least one of them is a female but the other one...not so sure). The older female is now a lot more relaxed- she swims out of her usual hiding places and just ignores Ramos' presence until he chases her away, perhaps it's because she now has more friends. The 2 new "females" do the same, they just swim around and only run when Ramos gets grumpy. 

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

The tank is plenty big enough for these guys - I suspect they'll settle down eventually. What's you other stock in the tank?

 

[BlueSwordtail]

I've got 2 zebra angels (still growing- they're quite young at the moment), 2 pearl gouramis, 10 neons and 5 cardinal tetras- full grown, 7 cory cats, 5 glass catfish and 1 sword-tail

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Yep, sounds pretty good Plenty of space on the bottom of the tank for them.

 

[BlueSwordtail]

yeah I hope they will pair-up soon. Will keep you posted!