Please help me identify these fish!

[James Tryon]

Hello I'm new to posting but I have used this forum to learn alot about the hobby. That's why I figure this is the best place to ask this. I recently purchased 2 ram cichlid from two separate locations. The first was sold to me as a german ram female, and the second a male. But I'm not convinced that the female is a German ram and not a Bolivian. Please any help is appreciated

 

[Byron]

Those photos all show Mikrogeophagus ramirezi, the common or blue ram, in whatever variety. None are M. altispinosus which is the Bolivian.

There is something serious going on here though. The first photo is a fish that is highly stressed and likely has some health issue. I will not guess as this can be worse, but I hope other members with more experience in disease will be able to offer advice.

One thing I can explain though, and that is that unless these are both females, that may be part of the issue. Two males will fight until one is dead, and a male/female that have not accepted each other and bonded will not generally last long before one of them (the female usually) succumbs. I cannot tell the gender from the photos. But if they are regularly after each other, as the photos would suggest to me, they should be separated.

 

[James Tryon]

All 4 pics are the same fish. Two with flash and 2 without. The first pic was immediately after she came out of the bag so yes she was stressed.

 

[James Tryon]

Also thank you for the response its much appreciated

 

[Byron]

All 4 pics are the same fish. Two with flash and 2 without. The first pic was immediately after she came out of the bag so yes she was stressed.

OK, it is as blue ram variety though, to answer your question. And the issue of two being put together is still an issue as it is their inherent trait.