ok- I got 'em!

[noodles62]

I picked up two Bolivian rams today! I am pretty certain that I have a male and female (Ralph & Alice); at first they were pal-ing around then after about 30 minutes they did a few lip locks. I thought Ralph was the bully but at the moment he is pretty stressed and Alice is in charge! I have the lights out and am just observing for now. Anything else I need to do/watch for? This is my very first cichlid experience. I LOVE them. They are soooo cute!

[BoredAgain]

Mmm...I'll be picking up two next week when my quarantine tank is free. Good luck!

[noodles62]

woo hoo! she is a Be-otch! she is making sure Ralph stays in his own space. I am hoping that they are just establishing dominance and their terrotories and all will be ok.

[jm1212]

have any pics?

how big is the tank?

[noodles62]

It is a 30 long. I will try to take pics tomorrow. they are still pretty stressed but they did eat some flake. I am really hoping I do not have two males. One is clearly a male with the elongated fins on the top and bottom of the tail fin, like a lyre tail. The other does not have this but the more I watch it, the more I think it has a taller 3rd ray on its dorsal fin. What do I do if I have 2 males and my LFS wont take/trade one back? Will they be ok after they establish territories?

[Lady G]

I love those little guys/gals!!! Congrates on your new fishies! Post up some pics as soon as you can!!!

[noodles62]

This morning they are still looking a little stressed (stress colors). My params are ok but I think after work I will do a WC. The one is still harrassing the other but not too bad - just a little nudging in the side and chasing away from time to time. I hope they figure it out soon! I got some driftwood; if I can ever get it to sink it will go in a divide the tank in half; hopefully that will help.
They are so cute! I love how they pick up some sand, chew it around and spit it out! And they have such big puppy dog eyes!

[Blueiz]

Will color differences help you determine the sex?

[krytan]

Cool, can't wait to see some pic's :)

[noodles62]

I am hoping that once they calm down a little more the sex difference will become more obvious. One is clearly a male the other is questionable........I am doing a WC tonite and will take pics when I am done. If they turn out (?!) I will post them.:grinyes:

[Star_Rider]

Unlike Blue rams Bolivian rams are a bit more difficult to sex.

the extended rays on the dorsal is sometime effective as the 3rd ray etc. the real tell tale way is the ovipositor.

there is not rally much color difference between the male and female. the males do tend to be larger.

there is a good thread in the cichlid forum re bolivian rams if you need more info.

[noodles62]

I will check it out! Thanks Star_rider........

[noodles62]

Well, I did more research and observing and I do believe I have 2 males. I will be calling the LFS when they open and see if they will trade one out for me. I hope they will cuz the meaker one of the two does not even get to eat due to the bully. Will post pics later......