Tom

Are my rams German Blue rams or Bolivian rams? Take a look at these pics, they are the ones that start with HP.
http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/c...m/37%20gallon/
Thanks in advance.
Tom

Jacko

They are more than likely GBRs, they lack the two 'eye' spots on their sides, and only have one. No red tipped finnage and less elongated finnage.

Tom

Thanks. I just decided to look on google and compare the two, and it looks like this one.
http://www.alloddballaquatics.com/dw...manBlueRam.jpg
Tom

neverendingninja

GBRs. No question about it. Bolivians don't get blue flecks on the side at all, nor do they have such striking blue lines on the face or fins. The blue on their faces is very faint and soft.

Tom

Thanks. The reason I am asking is because they don't look like the ones at the store with all the vibrant colors and such. Or are those just the breeding colors?
Tom

Jacko

It is part diet, conditions and temperature. Fed on meaty foods like bloodworms with the staple food, kept at a ph of 6.5-6.8 ish and a temp of 82 degrees I noticed mine color up significantly. sure the breeding colors can be an even better look, some males turn red but sometimes they are fine without it.

I is sometimes the lighting situation as well.

Tom

But they are very skiddish and disappear whenevr I get close to the tank. I never see them eat and I have sat and watched them over an hour once and they just made sure they were out of their territories.

So if I but some frozen blood worms and put them at the bottom of the tank for them and their color should improve?
Tom

Jacko

Not necissarily, that is just what I noticed in my pair after feeding. Though it might have been the fatty food made the female egg-laden and made the male more colorful in an attempt to court her. Also remember the tank conditions.

Or, it could be the individuals. To each its own I guess.

neverendingninja

How many do you have? What sexes? If you have two males in too close of quarters, they could be stressed by constantly having to defend their territories, and may not want to drop their guard in order to eat.

My m/f combo colored up VERY quickly, within two or three days after being in the tank. I feed them blood worms and brine shrimp on a near daily basis, occasionally feeding flakes/pellets and smashed peas. They are in a 55gal at 6.7ph, VERY soft water, 82ºF. Also, when I do a water change, the water I'm adding is usually much cooler(76-78º), but I add it very slowly in order to avoid a shock, and they flare in coloration after that.

Tom

I have 1 male and 2 females, so 3 in total. But when I approach the tank, they all hide in one corner and they get these vertical stripes on their body.
Tom

Tom

I found out what makes them be that really bright colors, if you have them outside in tanks like they do in Florida, they will get those really beautiful colors.
Tom