Sexing rams - help appreciated :)

karma_llama

karma_llama

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#1
Jun 28, 2003
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Yep it's everyones favourite question again - what are the key points to sexing Bolivian Rams?!
I originally purchased two rams, told they were male and female, but unfortunately lost one atfer it point blank refused to eat. The remaining ram has recently moved into my new 60 gallon tank and is loving it. It's displaying a shimmery orange belly now that it never had before, and i've decided it's time to invest in finding a mate....One problem though, i have no idea what sex it is.

Will try and get a photo tomorrow but until then could any one give me a list of the common sexual dimorphic features of Bolivian Rams.
Thanks :D

p.s. arent bolivian rams just the cutest ;)
 

Fish Friend

Fish Friend

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May 29, 2005
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yah... i agree karma llama... weel wait until you get a pic but the female should have a more rounded fin at the back.... and the males should be more pointed
heres some pics cause its kinda hard to explain..

..................^^^ the fin thats staright ahead of those arrows... the longer it is is a male...

And this is a female... with the shorter fin thingy and its more round

....^^^^^

P.S. sorry i didnt have any pics on bolivs but i hope this has helped you :eek:
 

karma_llama

karma_llama

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Jun 28, 2003
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here's the best photo i could get.



I went out to the lfs for some supplies today and picked up another ram, they onyl had females so fingers crossed mines a male, but no problem if its two girls. I'll have to wait for another day!
 

karma_llama

karma_llama

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Jun 28, 2003
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i dont really like german rams, to ostentatious. I like the bolivians because they're really pretty without being in your face about.
I've just bought two keyhole cichlids also, they're almost the identical to the bolivians, but real cute.
My tank has a thriving little cichlid population now, they're all juveniles so when they mature they'll be moving to breeding tanks of their own.
 

ram man

ram man

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Apr 16, 2005
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o and if they are stressed they will start to have black strpes on them. this may tell you the ph is not right or you need to do a water change. mine hade the black lines then they droped like flies
 

L

Left C

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Jul 21, 2005
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I've got six Bolivian Rams. These fish have a lot of personality and are amusing to watch. Their head wagging bluffs are really funny. What sex they are? I'll answer like this. Do you know what you get when you cross an elephant with a rhinoceros? ELEPHINO
 

karma_llama

karma_llama

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lol LeftC, that seems to be the general consensus!

Thanks for the link Lotus, i think they are both girls, but no matter. And i agree that those rams weren't the healthiest i've ever seen.

I feed my 60gal tank with frozen cichlid food today, my bigger ram must have stuffed herself, she had a huge fat belly. And the new ram addition yesterday has settled in, perked up and is now joining in the cichlid mischief. I love these little fish :D
 

karma_llama

karma_llama

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when any of my cichlids spring into breeding action, be it the tangs or the others i'll be posting straight away on here. So watch this space.

Dont worry about the female eating the eggs, it's common if they're inexperienced. I just leave my pair to it and they've only managed to raise one set of fry so far and they're on their 7th set of wriggles right now. if they get it right good for them, but if not, no worries they'll try again very soon. Good luck with them though :)
 

straitjacket

straitjacket

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Mar 21, 2004
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#15
Bahhh Bolivians! I love them, sweetest little things. I do prefer them over M. ramirezi, not as flashy and IMO alot more personable and curious about life outside the aquarium.
I was able to pick myself a pair right out of the LFS tank by looking only at their bellies and genital papillae.
Males will have a flat to slightly concave belly profile, their genital papillae will be pointed and lean toward the anal fin.
Females will have fuller bellies and their genital papillae will be blunt and point downward.
The link that Lotus provided shows pictures of the pair of Bolivians, a female Bolivian and then a male Bolivian (one boliv pic in each row vertically from L-R).
 

M

majt

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Mar 18, 2005
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Give this German blue ram a go then mate. Hasn't coloured up yet. I wouldn't have a clue about sexing it, but if I was to guess, I suspect its a female.

Cheers
 

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straitjacket

straitjacket

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Mar 21, 2004
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#19
That should be a good indicator that she's ready to breed. Just give it time. Rams are really good at teasing. ;)
Unfortunately I haven't even had the luck to get my hands on a decent female yet. :(
They're at least $10 each at most shops and I'm on a tight budget. Fortunately one of my crappy LFS's just got a load in (tiiiiiiny rams! lol) and they cost less than a pack of smokes so I picked one up. I'm quite confident she's a she but I won't be happy till she gets that cherry colour on her to be sure.
Now the big problem is gonna be which of the 3 lucky boys she's gonna pick. ;)
 

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