2 questions about Rams

[Mordred]

Based on the advice of the LFS, and a little reading around, I decided to get a pair of Dutch Rams to complete my community.

Firstly, how on earth do you tell the sexes apart - the guy in the LFS took his time catching the second, and assured me that I had a male + female pair but I can't tell the difference now that they are in the tank together.

Secondly, the guys at the LFS said that they are very peaceful community fish that would fit well with the rest of my "inmates", however my fish book lists rams as carnivourous - some of my cardinal tetras are still fairly small (1.5cm)- are they at risk of being eaten?

I put them in yesterday, and so far they seem relatively well behaved although the female gourami has had her dorsal fin up and looked very stressed since they went in.

[jd_7655]

male rams have a higher black spike on their dorsal fins then females and thier sides are all blue. females have red on thier belly. if both of your fish are identical with no differences then you don t have a pair

[Hound]

Um, to be honest I've never heard of a dutch ram. Pictures might be helpful if you are able. There are several varieties of ram of course. The only ones I can say with any certainty of the sex would be german rams. I've stared at nearly fully developed bolivians for hours and still wasn't convinced of their sexes.

[medge00]

I've never heard of dutch rams either, only blue rams, gold rams, german rams, bolivian rams... there are baloon rams, but I don't like how they've been bred...

if they are blue or german, look for a pinkish belly, which will indicate a female. This will get much brighter as she gets ready to breed. (I have 1st hand experience with this, my new female is laying eggs as I speak. :) )

Your rams will probably leave the smaller fish alone. I've never had a ram try to eat another fish. And they only seem to bully others when they are breeding.

HTH.

[Hound]

Oop, forgot that you asked about the tankmates safety. In general rams are community fish. If you do get a pair that spawn though they can sometimes be a bit aggressive in defending the eggs.

[Mordred]

Ok - thanks for all the comments so far.

The LFS has them abelled up as Dutch Rams - I suspect they are identical to the German ones but bred in Holland, at a rough guess.

Not sure though, and unfortunately dont have the gear to take photos yet.

[PumaWard]

I am assuming that they are blue rams raised in europe (hence the 'dutch') but could be wrong.

In any case, blue/gold rams will never get large enough to eat a full grown, or half grown, cardinal tetra. They generally max out at 3''.

[Mordred]

Ok, thanks guys - thats good to know.

Am becomming increasingly sure I've got a pair - it is amazing how much they have coloured up over 2 days.

One is larger than the other and brighter coloured. Definitely got stronger markings, particularly on the fins. Also the behaviour of the 2 is different.