Ram Pairing Behaviour?

[RamboFish]

I had a GBR which I believe to be male, as the third fin is much taller and spiked. Introduced a new one today who a believe is female (pictures to follow hopefully).
Anyway the new smaller one seems intent on following the other around and kind of goes in front of the big one and shows (him) her side? Kind of arches it too. The big one then touches the little ones side, like a nip bit I don't think its aggressive as the little one doesn't move.
Big one is even chasing neon away who he has never been fussed by.
What could this behaviour be about? They've only been together about a few hours.

 

[RamboFish]

Hmmm ok update.....little keeps chasing and nipping big but big is not doing it back big just turns round and faces little bit they don't fight eachother. Then every so often little 'presents' its side again?

 

[RamboFish]

 

[soybean]

I'm no expert on gbrs but I believe the one on the left, in front of the other, is female, and the other male.

The purple flushed belly and blue specks over the black spot on the side is indicative of a female ready to breed.

 

[RamboFish]

That's what I thought but then the bigger one has a longer third fin and the little one doesn't? I hear breeding can make females show this?

Ohh could that be why the little male is so interested ? Assuming he is male lol

 

[soybean]

Like I say I'm no expert on these, but if one fish is older or larger than the other it probably stands to reason the fins will be a bit longer?

 

[RamboFish]

Could be that too. They're are kinda tricky to sex.

 

[soybean]

Well if i was presented with the two fish above and not even told any of the behaviour youve described, I would still say ram 1 female, ram 2 male.

 

[RamboFish]

Ok thank you Do you think the chasing will stop the little ones kinda picking on her

 

[soybean]

It just sounds like normal ram behaviour. They're cichlids, there's a pecking order and they've got to establish one. I just added another Bolivian ram to my tank, making three, and it was pretty hounded for a few days but it knows its place now and everyone is more or less friends again...

 

[RamboFish]

Yh I guess they do. I'll keep check on them and see if it subsides which I guess is a good sign. The little one isn't completely overboard persistently chasing her. Just hope she can deal with it, I kinda want her to Chase back lol