Bolivian Rams

[BASSNMAN]

My lfs just got a batch of bolivian rams. Does anyone know a sure way to determine sex? the fish are about 2 1/2 inches. I can't afford to buy 6 in hopes of getting a pair.

[gheitman]

I don't have any personal experience with them but this is what was said on fishprofiles.com

"Males usually have longer filaments on their fins. Also females have more red in their abdominals."

Follow this link for more details.

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/bolivian.xml

[severum mama]

I have 4 Bolivian rams and I still can't tell what sex they are. I've heard the thing about the males having longer filaments but I honestly can't tell the difference. If I were you I would just buy as many as you can afford and wait for them to pair off. They are great fish and I think you will really like them.

[chrism]

i cant tell the difference either! i asked for a pair when i bought my first two, but then bought another as i think i had two males, so got another one and tried to pick the most female looking one! but now again i still think ive got males!

i think the trick is to buy the bigger ones, the differences between the sexes are more noticable in mature adults.

perhaps ask the store how old they are that might help, otherwise i guess its just go with the best of ur knowledge and buy as many as you can!

sorry i couldnt be more help!

[severum mama]

IKWYM Chris! I am pretty sure I got 2 males when I bought my original 2. Well, I got 2 more a couple months ago, and one was def. a female (she had paired off and I bought only her, and felt bad about splitting up the pair). I thought the other was a female too but now I don't think so. I had to move one of them to a different tank because it was getting picked on, so I think I ended up with 3 males and 1 female. Even knowing for sure that 1 is a female, I STILL can't tell which one she is except for being in a different tank.

[chrism]

has the female paired off with any of ur males, or is she the one in the tank on her own?

rams are sposed to be so cute when they pair off! i've read that if you seperate the male and female then re-introduce them they are more likely to pair off...

would love to have the room to buy a whole load and let them do it naturally... need more tanks

[jibboo]

what about adding rams to a community tank? is that a good idea? that fishprofiles site says that are generally peaceful ... what do you guys keep your rams with?

Also, the guy at my [acronym:35e3c3d8aa="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:35e3c3d8aa] said that rams are kinda hard to keep ... have you found that to be true for you?

[FawnN]

Also, the guy at my [acronym:1be73b0d56="Local Fish Store"]lfs[/acronym:1be73b0d56] said that rams are kinda hard to keep ... have you found that to be true for you?

That is sort of true. The German Blue Rams are hardier because they are tank raised, while the Blue Rams are caught in the wild and are quite sensitive to pH changes. Not too sure about the bolivian rams though.

I have 6 german blue rams and 4 blue rams. I lost 2 blue rams within 12 hours of buying them because they were not able to adjust to my pH.

that fishprofiles site says that are generally peaceful ... what do you guys keep your rams with?

I initially put my GBR's in with my livebearers and it's so very true that they are very peaceful towards other fish with the same temperment. They left all my guppies, platies and swords alone. They seem to chase and fight amongst eachother, beause mine are sexually mature and I have all females in my tank right now. Hope that helped a little.

[jibboo]

yes thanks ... if you don't mind me asking ... what is your [acronym:08527269f5="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:08527269f5]? I think mine is around 7.4. Also, I have 3 gold guaramis ... which I kinda don't like ... would you recommend trading them in if I get some rams?

I really like the coloring on the rams and would prefer them over the guaramis ... since the guaramis at times will be aggresive to my platys and rainbows.

[acronym:08527269f5="Thanks in Advance"]tia[/acronym:08527269f5]

[chrism]

bolivian rams are hardier than GBR didnt know there was a differance between GBR and BR My rams have been very hardy [acronym:139d43c63b="In my opinion"]IMO[/acronym:139d43c63b] they survived in my tank for a while (maybe a month) while i was under filtered newbie mistake

I keep my 3 bolivians with, pictus cats, BN, cardinals & redeye tetras, they dnt hassel any of my other fish, but do squabble a little between themselves... they also know how to stick up for themselves against other fish... including my pictus when he tried to kick one of them out of her hiding spot hehe that was quite funny to watch...

I think they are great in a comunity tank. my [acronym:139d43c63b="power head or Measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions, depending on context"]ph[/acronym:139d43c63b] is about 7.6 something like that anyway... if u dnt like the guaramis get something you do like you'll be happier!