capekate

Im still trying to figure out if one of these GBRs is a female. I am posting photos that I just took awhile ago of the three that I have.
My question is of the ram that has not much coloring, Im wondering if she is a female. Any ideas?
thanks ~ kate
1st photo: 2 males
2nd photo: alpha male
3rd photo:lesser male
4th & 5th photos: possible female?

Attached Images

	Oct15 GBR 021.jpg (119.7 KB, 10 views)
	Oct15 GBR 029.jpg (152.4 KB, 9 views)
	Oct15 GBR 025.jpg (170.6 KB, 10 views)
	Oct15 GBR 042.jpg (150.0 KB, 11 views)
	Oct15 GBR 032.jpg (132.5 KB, 10 views)

Tom

The first four are males and I can't tell about the last because the fins are clamped. If you could also post some better/clearer pics, that would be great. I am not sure exactly since the pictures of them aren't too clear.
Tom

Tom

Like here are some pics of my males and maybe a female.
One of my males

Another pic of my male

My pair, the male is in the front and the female is in the back

I hope these pics can help you with the IDing.
Tom

Tom

Some things I have found out about IDing the gender of males vs. females are;
1) the females have a more of a rounded tail and the male has a 'V' shape with 'sharp' corners on them
2) the males have a elongated 2nd ray in the dorsal fin
3) the males dorasl and anal fins at the back are more pointed then the females
4) the females have more red on their belly compared to the males
5) the obvious, the females are thicker/rounder when mature and able to mate
I hope these also help with your sexing of them.
Tom

capekate

How do you get to post such large photos? As the size limit really restricts my photos. I will try to do a better close up...
Your photos are gorgeous BTW!!! Such beautiful rams you have there!
thanks also for the advice I will have to go over the list while I look at these guys again.
~ kate

Tom

I use photobucket and it allows me to show the pic and anyone can use it.
Tom

neverendingninja

Here, you can see the color difference in the male and female. Female has pink on the belly.

Again, note the belly


Unfortunately, this pair of rams were my only fish from a reputable source that passed away. I'm not sure of the cause, as everyone else is thriving, and conditions remained stable. However, I do not believe I have a good photo of the male's fins vs. the female's. I will check, though.

Good luck, as it is tricky. My females 2nd dorsal ray was slightly extended, but my males was VERY extended(and no, they were not long-fins)

Tom

They look great.
Tom

capekate

WOW the color on those guys are fantastic! My guys do not color up half as much, so looking for a pink belly is almost impossible!
I am still searching for more GBRs, called another place that is about 70 miles away and nope.. no GBRs at the moment. I tell ya... this is getting pretty depressing!!! ugghhh....
~ kate

Tom

Good luck on finding some more. It is very hard even here.
Tom

neverendingninja

Thats too bad they're so hard to get some places. My favorite LFS always has bolivian rams, blue rams and keyholes in stock. The closer LFS, which has mostly saltwater fish, typically has long fins in stock, but I don't like their appearance, as they seem like a bit of a freak of nature. Their fins are never clean and long, they're usually rippled and obviously mal-formed, most likely from dirty water at the fish factory

Although, don't let that give you the wrong idea about this LFS. They're changing water almost every time I go in!

Callum The Cat

hard to tell by the photots but there second spinal fin is much higher

Rock On Callum!

Sabi

Nevereninja/Tom, why is it hard to get hold of rams? I've seen them once or twice at my lfs and reading your posts it hit me that they are rare.

Tom

It's just rare to find them in stores, except one that always has some in(I don't think they get sold). And the price for me is about $13 for a single one, so it isn't really cheap to get them either.
Tom

neverendingninja

I have no idea. I suppose it is just because they have a reputation for being very hard to care for. They're not idiot-proof, but I don't think you have to be an absolute expert to care for them, either.

They are only $6.99 at my LFS, so they're a bit on the high side, but not ridiculous.

Callum The Cat

i see 'em all the time here i didn't no they were rare?

Rock On Callum!

capekate

It also seems that the African Cichlid is more popular. At least there is so much more of them in the LFS than dwarfs. Most chain LFS do not even carry the dwarf rams. The smaller local fish store ordered some for me, now today I will go take a look and see if they brought in 4 females for me. Im keeping my fingers crossed that finally today I get some females. The lone GBR in the Discus tank sure can use some company!
~ kate

capekate

Well disappointment reins... waaaa.... I just got off the phone with the LFS that was ordering me the female rams. It seems that a fish order did come in, but NO rams... man! grrrr.... This is really frustrating. They said that there is no guarantee that there will be some next week either. Soooo on that note, I did some more research of area Pet shops/aquariums. I located one in Qunicy MA called Lovely Pet Center and they had a good online site and info. So will call them and see if they have any and hopefully I can take a ride up there on saturday. Its a 83 mile drive one way, but will be so worth it if they have what I want. Just have to convince my husband to drive me up!
wish me luck!!
~ kate