mathas

We have a guide established for sexing german blue rams, but nothing for bolivians yet. So here goes!

One of the most sure-fire ways to sex bolivian rams is to examine the ventrical differences. In the picture below, we have a male in the top frame and a female in the bottom frame. Note that the male's breeding tube is smaller and more pointed, while the female's is rounded and a bit larger, since it's designed to pass eggs. You can also see that the male's body tapers downwards from the breeding tube to the anal fin, while the female's body tapers upwards slightly from the ovipositor to the anal fin.



Another common (though not 100% reliable) method of determining sex is by the dorsal fin. Note in the picture of the female above, there is a gradual slope to the rays of the fins, with only a very slight elongation of the third ray. Many males, on the other hand, have a much more elongated third/fourth dorsal ray, as seen here:

fishrule101

Man, bolivian rams are pretty. I want one!! Pretty good article!! It sure helped me.

helen38

not 100% sure if this is right but i was told at my local pet store today that females have a pink mark on there belly.

mathas

That's for german blue rams, as seen here.

Bolivians aren't quite that easy to tell, unfortunately

helen38

oops sorry

Jamel2333

Will a male blue ram mate with a female bolivian ram?

KristinAnn

Very helpful, i had not yet heard about the slant from the breeding tube to the anal fin.

Is the breeding tube visible at all times, or only around the time of spawning?

pepetj

I figure that it's easier to see as they get ready to lay eggs... I might try taking pics of mine and see if it's visible in the picture since I can't tell with the naked eye.

Pepetj
Santo Domingo

Soswozere

Ohh thank you mathas!

Looks like I have two girlies!
It's funny, I had one figured as a male, I guess she's just butch!

http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/me...background.jpg

roy

from this i have 2 males, i knew they were the same sex just didnt know which