Sex of my Electric Blue Rams

[Paddy42]

Hello everyone!

I have searched for similar topic, but couldn't find it and I know that refreshing topic from last few years isn't very good idea so.. here I am with my question.

Recently bought 2 EBR. I think they were 2 female.
after 5 days one of them died..
Water is clear, parameters are okay - I don't think that was the case as if it was, the other EBR would be dead as well but its doing fine.
I also have 3 Danios and 5 neon tetras in 60 L fresh water tank.
Tank running for over 2 months now.
The only thing was that one of them was chasing the other one, nearly all day long. I have been advised that it could caused death, as the fish was quickly inspected by the guy in LFS and he said it did look fine, no spots around fins, no damage, no swallowed belly.
I have a few real plant in my 60 litre tank. (5 plants, 2 medium pieces of wood) and there is a few places to hide. Water change is 25% every 2 weeks.
Today I brought the new, (exchanged) EBR and the are chasing each other a little bit, but not that aggressive.
They swim together a bit, greeting, like the are saing hello and giving each other kisses in the cheek <lol>

I would like to know what sex they are. I thought maybe if I would get a couple they would be less aggressive and maybe will like each other. But not sure if they are 2 opposite sex.
According to some guides how to sex EBR I had different results.. or maybe they just both sex at the same time..

anyway.. Could you please have a look and tell me what sex are they, as you are probably more experienced then me.

Pic from this morning when find 1x EBR dead ;/

2 Pics from afternoon of 2 EBR that I would like to know sex of.

if I didn't include all needed information, please let me know and I will update it.

Thank a lot!
Kind Regrads,
Patrick.

 

[fluttermoth]

They look like two females to me.

 

[Paddy42]

Thanks for reply!

Now, as the whole day passed the old one just keep chasing the new one.. I hope she won't end up like the previous one

Is there anything I could do?

 

[Byron]

For some reason I cannot see the images. Nevertheless, I would not recommend two rams in a 70 liter (15 gallon) tank unless they were a bonded pair; bonded means a male/female that have accepted each other, at least for the present. I'll come back to this.

Danios...what species? Most danio need more space, and a larger group, as they are shoaling fish, and most are active swimmers so longer tanks are better. Another issue is their activity...rams being cichlids are sedate fish, and not appreciative of active swimming fish around them. It can cause stress, which weakens fish.

The neons are much more suited to this tank, as they are not active swimming fish. However, we have another issue with neons and rams, temperature.

Neons prefer cooler water (as do the danios, though I don't know the species) around 75-76F (24-25C). Rams must have warmth, 80F (26-27C) minimum. Rams tend not to live their normal lifespan in cooler water. Same can be said for neons in warmer water.

Now back to the bonding issue. Most cichlids, and definitely rams, must select their mates from a group. If they do not, any male/female put together may manage a short time, and even spawn, but usually not for long before one is dead. Even bonded pairs do not always last their lifetime, but they stand a much better chance. Two males will fight until one is dead; in much larger tanks the less dominant may manage to hide, but not usually. Two females is hit and miss; generally less territorial, but individual fish may vary from the norm. When selecting rams in a store tank, observation of the behaviours can usually identify likely bonding pairs, but this takes some practice and time.

 

[Paddy42]

Sorry,
Here you go.
These pics should work

 

[Byron]

From the photos I would tend to think both female, as fluttermoth said. So what I offered in post #4 doesn't change.

 

[hobby5]

Welcome to TFF!

For me the pics don't help. Could be anything including two different sexes. The tank is for sure too small to keep two of them if they are not a bonded pair. Give them 2 more days. If things don't settle bring them back both and select a bonded pair in the store tank. Or keep only one.

But maybe you should first check if your water parameters (GH & KH!) are suitable at all. You got issues with the temps too. Those need sand as substrate they are not called Microgeophagus for nothing And, and, and...

Finally, never get any of those artificial man-made strains. With the natural form things would be easy

 

[Paddy42]

Just had to take one of them back to the LFS as it's been chased quiet a lot and I was a bit afraid that it could die as the previous one.

Anyway.. I'm just wondering now to get a few cherry shrimps as I saw pretty one in LFS and had a little research about them. Apparently they are not the best companion for my EBR..
What do you think?

 

[NickAu]

I'm just wondering now to get a few cherry shrimps

As you still have a ram in the tank, If it fits in its mouth it will eat the shrimp, if it cant fit in its mouth the ram will make it fit.

 

[Paddy42]

so "lived happily ever after" dream has been ruined by 1 little fish.. <lol>
Well thanks guys for your help and time!

 

[fluttermoth]

so "lived happily ever after" dream has been ruined by 1 little fish.. <lol>

That's cichlids for you, I'm afraid! Wonderful fish, full of character, but almost guaranteed to cause you headaches!