What tank you plan to add them?? I noticed that even though a 10g would be fine for a pair, i think they would rather prefer 20long + for swim space.. $7.99 each is somewhat decent, though thats what they go for here $6-10 (depending on size) Visit a few other locals and see if they carry some, also can find out when their next stock will be in and if any of the rams are on the list..
Picking out a pair is somewhat difficult since they are hard to sex. But when you are at the store you can do your best to pick out the healthiest looking and one thats not a bully, also try and pick out ones that are just about the same size so no bullying will occur later. As far as sexing, most stores seem to carry mostly males so finding a female is a gift, pay attention to the fish size, if they are all about the same size the female most of the time will be the smaller one with less color (thats if they came from the same batch). Also pay attention to the dorsal fin, males is elongated at the end and females is somewhat round/oval.
I recently got my male a female but she is somewhat smaller and is scared of him (since he chases her a bit). Due to the slight chasing i put her in a different tank so she can get bigger and fatter.. plus she is turning out to be somewhat pain in the ____, because she does not want to eat flakes, crisps, tetra bites.. Only thing i managed to get her to eat is frozen bloodworms.. and even that she only eats ones that are just about to hit the floor, once its on the substrate she somewhat ignores it.. Will probably need to make a post to see if anyone knows a good way to get her to eat everything i throw in there..
Well good luck with yours, take your time looking for and buying them..
