Need help on Ram sexing

[Jtang]

I just bought these two GBRs at the store, there was one a few left and they don't really seem top notch in colour but i decided to get them anyways.

Their in my 90 gallon community doing well after a few days. I'm having trouble finding out the sexes

one is bigger than the other i thought originally to be a male but it has a real pink belly. the other is smaller and less colorful.

the bigger one shows lil aggression to the other sometimes but rarely.

The two seem to be near each other a lot most of the time.

 

[ChrisK]

Appear to both be female IMO

 

[Jtang]

Appear to both be female IMO

oh, what does this mean? i should get a one male or two? i dont really want more than a pair of rams in my tank

 

[SubRosa]

If the smaller one has no black on the leading edge of its pelvic fins you have a pair. The larger is definitely female.

 

[JAY973]

I 2nd the opinion of 2 females as well if I had to guess. Also IMO 3 is a bad number when it comes to these fish in my experience the pair will stress the 3rd until it dies at least from my personal experience.

 

[Jtang]

I 2nd the opinion of 2 females as well if I had to guess. Also IMO 3 is a bad number when it comes to these fish in my experience the pair will stress the 3rd until it dies at least from my personal experience.

thanks for the advice. in your avatar is that your fish? it has such a long tail!

 

[JAY973]

Yes that's my long fin GBR pops of some of my other GBR's in the 33L but they seem to be of regular fin.

I like to promote this thread because members have contributed some great pics...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220262

 

[Jtang]

Yes that's my long fin GBR pops of some of my other GBR's in the 33L but they seem to be of regular fin.

I like to promote this thread because members have contributed some great pics...
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220262

awesome i'll take a look.

hmm i'm thinking about buying two males, generally speaking what should i look for in hunting for males? and do you know if electric blue rams will pair with normal GBR's???? thats all my lfs has for right now

while another store has rams for 39.99 ridiculous

 

[Krib]

look for non pink bellies, and they should be around the size of the GBR's that you allready have.

 

[JAY973]

In order to have a good idea of sexing they need to be as close to mature as possible. Once they've developed their color the bright pink bellies is the most reliable sign in my experience of the ones I've seen. Stress from water conditions or other tank mates will affect coloring so keep that in mind.

My understanding is the electric blues will cross breed those typically in this part of NJ are the only ones I've seen for $40 each. Although the adult GBR's are close to $30. GBR's do ship well (but always a risk some will say live arrival guarantee) so if you can aquabid is a good source from breeders and some will even sex them or sold already as pairs. 2-3 pairs around $30 is better than the above.