cuteusagi

Hi All!!! I recently added a ram and angel fish to my 29 gallon tank with a school of 6 danios, and I have a few quick questions!!

First, the lfs I purchased the ram and angel from labeled the ram as a "Red Crown" Ram...I have attached a picture - is it a Bolivian Ram mislabeled? Just curious!! Also, is there any way to tell what sex the fish is?

Second, I've noticed in the last several days that my ram is doing something a little odd, and wanted to make sure everything was ok. It is a very active swimmer, and no matter what its doing or where it is, it will open its mouth really wide for a few seconds and then shut it. It looks like its "lips" are pushed forward and the whole mouth is made very large. He has never shown any aggressive behavior, and quite enjoys the company of the angel (they often swim together). I just want to make sure this isn't the start of aggressive behavior. I feed the tank a few times a day, and it always gets plenty of food (but consistently spits out only the pink colored flakes...) so I don't think it's a show of hunger...

I would love to add another ram (preferably a blue) to the tank in a few weeks, but before I do, I wanted to check the sex, type, and what this behavior means. Thanks so much for all your help!!!

Chief_waterchanger

It looks like a german blue. You got a lazy fish... the mouth open thing is yawning.

cuteusagi

Do fish yawn LOL!!! I'm glad it's nothing serious!!! Thanks for the help!!

Dino

Lots of the cichlids yawn.
It is also used as a "this is my territory, look at how firce I look" display.

Butterfly

Looks to be a male german blue ram. see the spines on the dorsal fin? Males tend to have the first spine longer than the others. females tend to have a rosey or pale purple belly which will get really vivid when ready to spawn.
Carol

Tom

I think they yawn for the same type of reason as humans, a lack of oxygen to the brain, and maybe stretch the muscles in the jaw.
Tom

Butterfly

And they do look fierce when they do this too
Carol

neverendingninja

I'm going to have to disagree with waterchanger and butterfly. That is, almost definitely, a bolivian ram. You can tell by the pink outline around the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and the full pink on the pelvic fins. Also, the orange on the throat.

Also, my LFS sells them as "Ruby Crown Cichlids"

http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/prof...lids/bram.html

cuteusagi

It was a female Bolivian Ram (officially) and we unfortunately had to take her back to our lfs after she developed some aggressive behavior. There's another topic on that ordeal.

Butterfly

Oh sorry to hear you had problems.
Carol