Good morning,
So I recently came into a couple of Electric Blue Rams. I've only dealt with Apistos up until this point so Rams are a bit of an unknown quantity. I was looking for a pair, and although my lfs owner did her best we both were kind of taking a stab in the dark as to the gender of the two I got.
Both are doing very well, and although they had just been shipped in, they adjusted to their new home very quickly. Water params are 6.5 , 0 , 0 , 5-10 and about 84F. I just have the two of them in a 10g by themselves at the moment until some of my fry have grown out enough to be moved to the community grow out tank.
My first question is can any more experienced eyes help me sex them? I know what my opinion is, and what I've read online, but unfortunately my eyes aren't experienced enough with Rams to be sure of the differences I see.
Second, this morning they were showing some interesting behavior that I would like some insight into as well. The thinner of the two likes to follow the other. It usually has it's fins displayed, but not super stiff. Just kind of has them all open, but somewhat relaxed if that makes sense. Occasionally it will chase the other, and bump it, but I have yet to witness any damage whatsoever. (if things get nasty I can remove one) Sometimes the other will bump back, but like I said if they're nipping it's not to cause harm... at least not yet.
They also did this while circling each other nose to tail, every now and again turning to bump. While they did this both of their fins were strongly erect.
At the moment the thin one is still interested in the other, following and chasing and such, but the bigger one seems more interested in the front glass. I brought the lighting down just a little in case that might be causing discomfort.
So there's the situation. My opinion is that either I have two of one sex (2x Male or 2x Female) and this is the start of some easy going territorial behavior, or I do indeed have a pair forming. Please let me know if you can help me determine gender, and what their behavior indicates.
The bigger of the two is the picture on the bottom.
So I recently came into a couple of Electric Blue Rams. I've only dealt with Apistos up until this point so Rams are a bit of an unknown quantity. I was looking for a pair, and although my lfs owner did her best we both were kind of taking a stab in the dark as to the gender of the two I got.
Both are doing very well, and although they had just been shipped in, they adjusted to their new home very quickly. Water params are 6.5 , 0 , 0 , 5-10 and about 84F. I just have the two of them in a 10g by themselves at the moment until some of my fry have grown out enough to be moved to the community grow out tank.
My first question is can any more experienced eyes help me sex them? I know what my opinion is, and what I've read online, but unfortunately my eyes aren't experienced enough with Rams to be sure of the differences I see.
Second, this morning they were showing some interesting behavior that I would like some insight into as well. The thinner of the two likes to follow the other. It usually has it's fins displayed, but not super stiff. Just kind of has them all open, but somewhat relaxed if that makes sense. Occasionally it will chase the other, and bump it, but I have yet to witness any damage whatsoever. (if things get nasty I can remove one) Sometimes the other will bump back, but like I said if they're nipping it's not to cause harm... at least not yet.
They also did this while circling each other nose to tail, every now and again turning to bump. While they did this both of their fins were strongly erect.
At the moment the thin one is still interested in the other, following and chasing and such, but the bigger one seems more interested in the front glass. I brought the lighting down just a little in case that might be causing discomfort.
So there's the situation. My opinion is that either I have two of one sex (2x Male or 2x Female) and this is the start of some easy going territorial behavior, or I do indeed have a pair forming. Please let me know if you can help me determine gender, and what their behavior indicates.
The bigger of the two is the picture on the bottom.