difference betweer bolivian ram and GBR

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loki993

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Jun 11, 2007
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ok at first look the may seem crazy but let me explain. ive seen quite a few rams at different LFS lately. most of them do not have their color yet. some have been quite large, seemingly for a ram. all of these LFS have the fish listed as GBRs, my question is color aside, if the fish do not have their color how can you tell GBRs from bolivians?? also ive seen pics of bolivians that have colors very similar to GBRs, do they color up like the GBRs do or are these pics just pics of GBRs mismarked as bolivians. I really want to try and keep GBRs, but have not had luck. ive decided to try and find juviniles in the fish stores that have no color, no color hopefully means no hormones, but other wise look healthy and happy.
 
bolivians are round, while gbrs are more rectangular. though it would be difficult to tell a pale bolivian from a pale balloon or short-bodied gbr.

bolivian

BestBolivianRam.JPG


blue ram - notice all the blue coloration

germanblueram.jpg


gold ram - no blue in the back half of the body

ram2.jpg
 
wataugachicken said:
bolivians are round, while gbrs are more rectangular. though it would be difficult to tell a pale bolivian from a pale balloon or short-bodied gbr.

bolivian

BestBolivianRam.JPG


blue ram - notice all the blue coloration

germanblueram.jpg


gold ram - no blue in the back half of the body

ram2.jpg
Click to expand...

I had 2 of those and they both died in the first week....they both had some internal parasites.....worms?
 
bolivians are round, while gbrs are more rectangular. though it would be difficult to tell a pale bolivian from a pale balloon or short-bodied gbr.
Click to expand...

I guess I just have to trust the LFS in that they have them marked properly.

I had 2 of those and they both died in the first week....they both had some internal parasites.....worms?
Click to expand...

the consensus seems to be that they are gotten for asia where they are loaded up with hormones so they get their color faster, this in turn weakens them significantly and the generally contract some type of parasite, the problem is then compounded by the fact that they are VERY sensitive to water quality in the first place. I think the combination of the hormones, possible parasites and the shock of a move to different water contributed to their quick and sudden deaths. which pains be because I think there very good looking fish and really want to keep some, but I will not do it if I think they will not live in my tank. we have had some problems with the tank and its getting overhauled, basically changing out old suspect gravel and going with black sand. once the tank settles from the changeover I will probably try them again. also I have found a decent LFS that is trusted, that I can get rams from, he deals exclusively in saltwater right now, but has said that he can get any freshwater fish I want as long as its legal. he says he has good suppliers. I really think I will start getting all our fish from him.
 
i'm sorry but those rams look the same shape.. the only way i can see to tell is the colors.
 
The young GBR's I've seen in the LFS are usually a pale orange, the Bolivians are usually grey. They also lose their color quickly once they are netted out of the tank, so make sure you pick them out before the guy at the LFS takes them out.
 
silentskream said:
i'm sorry but those rams look the same shape.. the only way i can see to tell is the colors.
Click to expand...
The position of the mouth is different. Both are distinguished easily even by beginners. The only problem is that bolivian rams are not as popular as the blue rams so they may be confused as simply another species of blue rams.
 
ok it does kinda look like the bolivian has a more downward sloping mouth (like he's frowning kinda)
is that the idea?
 
The Bolivian's eyes are also on the top of the head sort of like a frog instead of the middle like the Blue Rams.
 
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