Bolivian Ram question

[bitbot]

I have a pair who have bred only once - the rest of the time they often act like they hate each other - 'bickering' a lot, but have never done any damage. The male is usually dominant, but occasionally the female is the bully, and sometimes they act friendly; sometimes ignore each other.

There is less friction now they are in a larger (3-foot) tank.

I actually though I might have two males until the female laid eggs. Even now the only difference I can discern (sex-wise) is the female's breeding tube, which has remained visible after spawning, but wasn't before that.

I don't know how on earth people sex these fish!

Also, mine were very timid when I first got them and hid a lot, and were reluctant to come out even for food (the female was the braver one in this period). They have become braver over the months, and will now take food at the surface, but it's taken a long time to get to that stage.

 

[RDTigger]

You may try rearranging the tank... It sets up new territorial lines and especially rearrange the decor if they are being defensive and you want to add new Rams..

 

[Twistersmom]

My bolivian rams act the same as bitbot describes.
Most of the time they stay in opposite corners of the tank. If one goes into the others area, there is a little spat, but no damage.
I few times now they have appeared to be mating, but it does not last long, then they are back to fighting.
My females mating tube is also visible. Another may to tell sex, the males tail fin is a lot longer and comes to a sharp point.

I tried adding another female. They both ganged up on her. I end up moving her to another tank. This was in a 65 gal.

 

[kimba91016]

thank you for the wonderful replies :thm: - they still have not settled the quarrel but at times the exiled one can swim whereever in the tank. I think that the exhiled one is ill though as I looked at it closely today and the anal area is very swollen. I am going to put it/her/him into a breeder net and see if I can figure out what is going on. I know it is not a breeding tube as I have had other fish breed for me before. Do they ever get impacted with eggs or feces?:help: I will try to get a pic once in the breeder net.

 

[DavidZ]

How big are they any Pics?