My Rams. Are they Blue, Gold or ?? - Aquarium Advice

HiFi · 05-29-2006, 12:54 AM

They are in a 75 with a few livebearers and tetras.
When I got them about a week ago they were slightly more colorful at the store. I have 3, and think they might be females.
I can't get a pic of the one that might be male. He sometimes has a bigger Black dorsal spike, and few blue specs in the black spot.
Are they Gold Rams that havent colored up yet? Not much blue on any them at all. And they are kinda striped, not like any GBR's I have seen pics of.

Jchillin · 05-29-2006, 08:38 AM

Yes, you have German Blue rams. The problem is the history of the naming of this fish. Over the years, M. Ramirezi has been known scientifically as Apistogramma ramirezi and Papilochromis ramirezi. That led to a number of common names such as Ballon ram, Golden ram, Blue Ram, etc. When a color variation was found back then, folks stuck a name on it basically to describe the color. It didn't get any better when these fish became popular and were being bred for the hobby in Germany and Singapore.

There is some debate still as to whether Mikrogeophagus ramirezi will last as it's final conclusive name, but that is for another discussion.

Lonewolfblue · 05-29-2006, 03:23 PM

They are German Blue Rams. Just like Jchillin explained, they are all the same fish. Some are just more one color than the other. Can't really tell if they are male or female though. Females are less common in the lfs, so my guess, if they don't have a bright pink belly, then it will be near impossible to tell, as a few females don't have the very bright pink on them. So until the mature a little more, and begin coloring up, we'll just have to wait and see.

Toirtis · 05-29-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jchillin

That led to a number of common names such as Ballon ram,

Actually, 'balloon rams' are a tankbred mutant that actually has a balloon-like body...

Quote:

Golden ram,

Golden rams, are, however a pretty distinct colour-type...possibly leucistic.

Quote:

When a color variation was found back then, folks stuck a name on it basically to describe the color.

Heh...find a fish this isn't true of, even today. LOL

05-29-2006, 12:54 AM	#1
HiFi Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London Ont Canada Posts: 100 Images: 1	My Rams. Are they Blue, Gold or ?? They are in a 75 with a few livebearers and tetras. When I got them about a week ago they were slightly more colorful at the store. I have 3, and think they might be females. I can't get a pic of the one that might be male. He sometimes has a bigger Black dorsal spike, and few blue specs in the black spot. Are they Gold Rams that havent colored up yet? Not much blue on any them at all. And they are kinda striped, not like any GBR's I have seen pics of.

05-29-2006, 08:38 AM	#2
Jchillin Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York, NY (The Big Apple) Posts: 12,970 Images: 47	Yes, you have German Blue rams. The problem is the history of the naming of this fish. Over the years, M. Ramirezi has been known scientifically as Apistogramma ramirezi and Papilochromis ramirezi. That led to a number of common names such as Ballon ram, Golden ram, Blue Ram, etc. When a color variation was found back then, folks stuck a name on it basically to describe the color. It didn't get any better when these fish became popular and were being bred for the hobby in Germany and Singapore. There is some debate still as to whether Mikrogeophagus ramirezi will last as it's final conclusive name, but that is for another discussion. __________________ _________________________________

05-29-2006, 03:23 PM	#3
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	They are German Blue Rams. Just like Jchillin explained, they are all the same fish. Some are just more one color than the other. Can't really tell if they are male or female though. Females are less common in the lfs, so my guess, if they don't have a bright pink belly, then it will be near impossible to tell, as a few females don't have the very bright pink on them. So until the mature a little more, and begin coloring up, we'll just have to wait and see. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

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