neverendingninja

After re-examination, I have to retract my statement about the caudal fin. But, the pelvic fins do have extensions on them. I posted a picture with Bolivian rams as the example, I'll see if I can find it.

Edit: here ya go

capekate

Hi Carol
thanks so much for the link... my goodness.. those are some beautiful ram photos! Will my guys ever color up like that? I sure hope so. So I believe I can tell the difference... hope so anyway. My confusion is in the very very first black spike closest to the front of the head. That one appears to be shorter on all the rams. I believe that was what I was looking for. So from the photos it looks like its the second and third black spike that is longer on the males and that the females tend to be about the same size as the rest of the dorsal fin. Correct me please if I am wrong on this observation..
~ kate

capekate

Thank you NEN...
and btw I love those bolivian rams as well. I assume they do ok in the tank with the GBR's?
~ kate

capekate

Good morning Isabella
thank you for the compliment on the tank set up. I do need to get more plants for the rams. Im thinking of trying the java fern moss in low clumps. They may like that. I try to keep that tank as clean as possible at all times. Now that its been running for 7 months, the diatom invasion is finally passed. thank God!! lol...
I want more rams too! hehe...
~ kate

Kevin

did you get any new girls today?
if not, ask that LFS to hold the ones that had ICH and once they have finished their ich meds, go back and pick them up

capekate

Hi Kevin,
I called another place that I was going to head out to yesterday and they had no new delivery as they expected. So of what they had, the only one that interested me was the bolivian ram, but they only had one. So for a round trip that was going to take almost three hours, I said forget it. So ended up in Petsmart and picked up some silk plants because their live plant selection was dwindling and a new air pump. Wish they carried dwarf rams there, but they dont.
As far as those two females with ICH, they are treating them and it would be a week before I guess they would be ready. Ive decided to give them a call today and ask them to call their supplier and see if he can send in some females. Which would be on wed. I was hesitant on asking them, since I wasnt too happy with the coloring on the males and wanted to try somewhere else first. And wondering if the ICH came in from the suppliers So you can see why I am hesitant about buying from them.
My only other alternative right now is a trip to the next state which will be a five hour round trip. For that I am waiting for the extra so that I can make that trip worthwhile...

~ kate

Tom

How are your 3 doing right now?
Tom

capekate

Hi Tom
the three are doing really well. I noticed them starting to color up nicely. They are still pretty shy when I come to the tank, but one alpha male does come out and stares at me from time to time. They are comical. I am still debating the gender of one. I actually am starting to think it is a female. Its not as brightly colored as the others and hasnt really made a territory for itself. Just swims around where ever it feels like it. I know that two are males for sure, as they like to confront each other over territory. No fighting as yet, just the old stop and go, back and forth then they loose interest and move on back to their corners.
I will try to get some video of them now that they are looking better. I have tried taking photos but once the camera comes out they hide in the back of the tank and its near impossible to get a good clear shot of them.
The one that i think is a female, her black spike is about the same height as the rest of the dorsal fins, where the other two's black spike is much higher this is one reason I think its a female. the other reason is that it does not color up much and is much more dull and showing more dark spots ( which can be stress lines too). But nothing definitive as the colors that the males have.
But I am so glad that they are doing well... I'm just waiting on the females so that I can introduce a pair to the discus tank.
If Im not mistaken... I see that you have yours with angel fish? How is that going? Let me know please.. as I am wondering if I can add a pair to that tank as well thanks for asking about the rams...
~ kate

Tom

Glad to hear that they are doing great. I have a pair as well as 6 others in with my pair of angels. They only really see each other when my angels chase some food to the bottom. Other than that, they are doing great, no aggression towards each other.
Tom

capekate

That is great news to hear! I would really like to introduce them to the angel tank. And maybe split up these males soon. Can you tell me also, how do the GBR's do in a tank by themselves? Would it be ok to just put one in the angel tank for now? Or should I wait for the female?
Thanks, kate

Tom

I don't know, I have always had mine together with other fish. I would assume that if there is a pair, they would do less protecting of the territory and more breeding, maybe, I don't know for sure.
Tom

capekate

Hi Tom,
IM going to post some photos of the GBRs and of the ram I think is a female.
I think I should start a new thread called: ID gender of GBRs.
I will do that now...
thanks for your help! ~ kate

Tom

I replyed.
Tom