I picked up two Blue Rams for my 29 gallon tall bow front a little over a week ago. The tank is well-planted and includes driftwood and rocks that create a number of cave areas.
My LFS is usually very reliable, and was fairly confident they were giving me a male and a female Ram.
I've done some research online (including this forum), and the physical characteristics of my Rams seem to support the LFS identification. One has a shorter, rounded dorsal fin and blue specks across the black patches. The other one has a very long and pointed dorsal fin, and more limited blue specks across the black patches. Frankly though, I've had a tough time deciding if there's a difference in belly color.
So a male and a female, right?
Only problem is the one that should be the female is clearly dominant. She (?) gives chase to the other one, particularly in the couple of hours after feeding. The male (?) has never fought back, and is content to flee. He doesn't seem to have claimed a territory as he lets himself get chased all around the tank.
The dominant one hasn't caused any damage yet, and the one that flees never stays gone for long. As soon as he (?) gets chased away, he will swim back to the areas the other frequents only to get chased away again. The chasing occurs in short bursts of a couple seconds at a time, usually every minute or so. Sometimes the chaser seems to give up and let the interloper go for a while.
So, my questions:
1. Is it possible that I have a female to expressing dominance over my male, or is it more likely I have two of the same despite what my LFS says and my own read of the characteristics?
2. Either way (different sex / same sex), is the dominance / submission relationship I describe sustainable, or am I better off trying to take one back?
3. What can I do to encourage the submissive one to claim a territory for its own?
I appreciate the help. Thanks to all.
My LFS is usually very reliable, and was fairly confident they were giving me a male and a female Ram.
I've done some research online (including this forum), and the physical characteristics of my Rams seem to support the LFS identification. One has a shorter, rounded dorsal fin and blue specks across the black patches. The other one has a very long and pointed dorsal fin, and more limited blue specks across the black patches. Frankly though, I've had a tough time deciding if there's a difference in belly color.
So a male and a female, right?
Only problem is the one that should be the female is clearly dominant. She (?) gives chase to the other one, particularly in the couple of hours after feeding. The male (?) has never fought back, and is content to flee. He doesn't seem to have claimed a territory as he lets himself get chased all around the tank.
The dominant one hasn't caused any damage yet, and the one that flees never stays gone for long. As soon as he (?) gets chased away, he will swim back to the areas the other frequents only to get chased away again. The chasing occurs in short bursts of a couple seconds at a time, usually every minute or so. Sometimes the chaser seems to give up and let the interloper go for a while.
So, my questions:
1. Is it possible that I have a female to expressing dominance over my male, or is it more likely I have two of the same despite what my LFS says and my own read of the characteristics?
2. Either way (different sex / same sex), is the dominance / submission relationship I describe sustainable, or am I better off trying to take one back?
3. What can I do to encourage the submissive one to claim a territory for its own?
I appreciate the help. Thanks to all.
