Bolivian ram

[NoodleCats]

Well, first cichlid for me, saw this little guy at the lfs and fell in love with him last month. Talked myself out of it last time...

Yeah, went for more frozen food and he was still there all alone.

So I took him home and I'm in love, he's adorable

 

[fishorama]

Adorable! I've never kept Bolivians...Are you sure it isn't a female? Rounded dorsal & anal fins in some pics...iffy in others...just general cichlid sexing thoughts. Your last pic looks more male, a lot can change in a month...they all look "girly" when young...& the colorful fins...could be a boy...I don't know...

 

[NoodleCats]

Adorable! I've never kept Bolivians...Are you sure it isn't a female? Rounded dorsal & anal fins in some pics...iffy in others...just general cichlid sexing thoughts. Your last pic looks more male, a lot can change in a month...they all look "girly" when young...& the colorful fins...could be a boy...I don't know...

Spoke with someone who specializes with bolivians, chance could be female but they lean towards male due to a very very tiny breeding tube.

Could be either or as still young, so can't be 100% right now.

Either way, I'm over the moon for this fish. Hes a little sweetheart, very curious and not an aggressive behavior at all from him.

 

[fishorama]

Breeding tube?!? That very teeny tiny bump? OK, family forum (ahem), but I almost can't see it...but no need for circling this time, lol.

 

[NoodleCats]

Breeding tube?!? That very teeny tiny bump? OK, family forum (ahem), but I almost can't see it...but no need for circling this time, lol.

Lol yeah I guess the females have much larger ones.
So they say male unless that changes, but at this point it should be larger if female too.

 

[Wyomingite]

Spoke with someone who specializes with bolivians, chance could be female but they lean towards male due to a very very tiny breeding tube.

Could be either or as still young, so can't be 100% right now.

Either way, I'm over the moon for this fish. Hes a little sweetheart, very curious and not an aggressive behavior at all from him.

It's hard to use the genital papillae as a definitive trait in sexing unless the fish are older and the papilla is a bit more prominent. I wouldn't use that as a guide until the fish is nearing full maturity. Based on the size of the ram in relation to that skirt tetra (which additionally is farther behind the ram and appears larger than it really is in respect to the ram) I don't think the fish is old enough yet to rely on the shape of the papilla for a sex ID. The fin extensions of the tail get a lot longer on males than females. The same holds true for the dorsal fin to a degree but sometimes isn't as pronounced in some males. Your fish doesn't seem to be showing any growth there yet. That would indicate a female.

In short, I wouldn't lean either way at this point, 50/50.

WYite

 

[fishorama]

I didn't say before, but most cichlids I've kept don't show breeding tubes until they're ready to go, sometimes as solo fish. They keep their "private parts" inside until needed...or they just can't wait any longer for a mate...

Cichlids are very smart & interesting in different ways than many of our fish. I know you'll find yours that way too, NC! Keep us updated please!

 

[NoodleCats]

Some more photos of my guy.
Well he can be a he for the time being lol
So far is the perfect citizen to the tank, isn't bothering anyone and is very curious and nosy lol

 

[Wyomingite]

Some more photos of my guy.
Well he can be a he for the time being lol
So far is the perfect citizen to the tank, isn't bothering anyone and is very curious and nosy lol
View attachment 230058View attachment 230059View attachment 230060View attachment 230061View attachment 230062

They are great fish. Not nearly as sensitive as blue rams and some of the more delicate apistos, and hardly any aggression except when breeding. I've only kept them a couple of times, but never had any problems with them. I consider them an ideal beginner cichlid, assuming the "beginner" isn't still learning about water quality and is beyond the most egregious beginner mistakes.

WYite

 

[NoodleCats]

Isn't she a cutie? She's growing really well and still a perfect citizen.


Pretty sure female at this point, she has occasionally shown a rather large breeding tube, much larger than I'd expect on a male. Not always present, but from time to time.

Either way, definitely one of my favourite fish.