Are my bolivian rams fighting?

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x3ro

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Jan 20, 2009
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I noticed a behavior tonight that worried me.

I introduced these rams to my tank on Saturday (the past saturday).. I have a male and female (the rear tip of the males dorsal is pointy, while the females is noticeably rounded)..

Tonight I was watching my tank, and noticed the fish jetting towards each other, looking like they were kissing... They didn't lock lips or anything, just shot towards each other like they were trying to kiss/bite the other, and then parted ways.. They did this several times... I'm not really sure how old they are, but I know they aren't full size yet. I'd say they're about 2.5" long.

Is this fighting behavior or what? Should I take the male back and try to get another male?

I forgot to mention, that earlier this week the rams were swimming happily along following each other around the tank
 
That kind of sparing is normal in cichlid pair-ponding. Basically, they're just testing each other's strength to see if the other is strong enough to make good babies. As long as they both look healthy, there's nothing to worry about. Keep an eye out, though for bullying. If you see one chasing the other aggressively, getting all the food, not tolerating the other's presence, and the other becomes small and starts having tattered fins and stops "fighting back" then you have a problem. As long as they both do it, there's no trouble. Good luck with your fish.
 
Watch them some more tonight, I didn't notice any more of the behavior I saw last night.

I did notice the female "picking" more at the male.. Didn't seem like she was trying to hurt him, just pick at him..

Is that normal as well?
 
it looks territorial as she stops chasing when he gets to the other end of the tank. He doesnt seem to mind as he keeps going back for more! LOL
However she could also be testing him to see if he will make a good mate. I thought my female would kill my male when I first put him in the tank but after three days their colors became very vibrant and they spawned in another 3 days....just keep on eye on them and feed them on opposite sides of the tank so he has a chance to eat.
 
Do a 25% water change with cooler water so that the temp of the tank water lowers 4-6 degrees and I bet you see eggs within 4 days if you do have a male and a female.
 
I'm sure it's a male and female, as on the female you can clearly see her egg tube or whatever iti s near her anal fin
 
x3ro said:
I'm sure it's a male and female, as on the female you can clearly see her egg tube or whatever iti s near her anal fin
Click to expand...

Just for kicks, post a picture of the female if you could. You may be closer to having eggs than you think. Grab a picture and go do a water change like I said to do in the meantime. I'm positive you will have eggs in a 4 days or less if you do so.
 
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