German blue ram bonding questions

[Litfish]

I recently got myself a German Blue ram as a centrepiece fish for my 26 gallon community. After seeing him in the tank, I would like to get another, and try and get them to pair.
Now, my first gbr is already in the tank, how likely is it for a pair to form if I bring another of the opposite sex?
Is there anything I can do to make them more likely to pair?
And lastly, I believe my GBR to be a male, just would like to double check. Photos below.

 

[Flyfisha]

Hi Litfish

Sexing this species is a fairly common question. There are no hard and fast rules. But some that are a better indicator than others. By all means go though all the old posts to confirm what I say. Sorry I can’t give you a simple link to give you a short answer.
You will just have to read my dribble ?
Females have light blue dots on the black circle mid week body. Males do not.

The pink stomach is a female sign as is the lack of a large comb on the top fin.

A male with a long top fin but not all have this. Note the black dot.

I have added two fish multiple times trying to get a pair. Often they make do with each other’s company without killing each other even when they don’t breed. If you see a fish hiding in plain site facing the corner for hours on end it will die if you don’t remove it. Stress is a killer. You should have anoth tank before attempting to make a bonded pair. Or just be aware one is going to die if it doesn’t work out or you can’t return.
i know of no special things you can do other than provide the sand, leaf litter , a flat rock and the warm water essential for these guys. Live food will help them breed but my experience suggests you can’t MAKE a pair if they don’t LIKE each other.

To answer your question.
My vote is that’s a male.

The German strain has much longer fins and better colours. But if the Americans what to call them all German blues who am I to question their choice of names.

This guy has some German blood , note the length of his fins

 

[Litfish]

Thank you for that. That’s very informative. Glad to hear I thought right about him being a male. I will make sure that I can return one to a store if they do not take well to the other.

 

[MacZ]

I have added two fish multiple times trying to get a pair. Often they make do with each other’s company without killing each other even when they don’t breed. If you see a fish hiding in plain site facing the corner for hours on end it will die if you don’t remove it. Stress is a killer. You should have anoth tank before attempting to make a bonded pair. Or just be aware one is going to die if it doesn’t work out or you can’t return.

Have to stress the importance of that paragraph.
And like to add a saying among dwarf cichlid keepers in general: A dwarf cichlid in an upper corner of the tank is homeless.
Means the other(s) have claimed all the available territory and there's nothing left. A fish in that state has to be removed.

Mikrogeophagus also usually only pair up for a breeding season then move on separate. That makes a situation of the fish being kept together permanently somewhat questionable unless you want to breed permanently.

If your tank is supposed to be a display tank and serious breeding isn't your goal: Leave it with a single male and call it a day.

 

[Virgo]

If your tank is supposed to be a display tank and serious breeding isn't your goal: Leave it with a single male and call it a day.

Now this is interesting. Question is can they be kept in single like a betta in a community tank?

 

[MacZ]

Question is can they be kept in single like a betta in a community tank?

I wouldn't keep a domestic betta in a community tank for completely other reasons. Long-fin breeds may be stressed by other fish, fin nipping may be a problem, current also and then there's the problem of them probably drowning in too high tanks. It's also fairly common for community tanks to be completely open in the upper third of the water columns. For a fish that prefers a habitat with dense surface vegetation (all Labyrinthfish imo) a typical community tank is not advisable.

But among dwarf cichlid (Mikrogeophagus, Apistogramma, Dicrossus, Nannacara etc.) enthusiasts it's becoming more commonplace to keep a single male in smaller community tanks (under 120cm length) and small groups of uneven numbers in bigger community tanks (over 120cm length.).
Will you see the full spectrum of behaviour and social interaction? Obviously not. Will the fish do well: Yes, nonetheless. Almost all (going by what you mostly get in the trade: ALL) Dwarf cichlids are territorial and most do not form fixed pairs but are polygamous. Spawning is a more spontaneous occurence in nature, where they also have breeding seasons and not a permanent follow-up of spawns as in aquaria. A female Apisto for example is likely to burn out after 1-2 years of one spawn following the next.
So it's also important to give a dwarf cichlid things to explore and enrichment. What I find most helpful is leaf litter and botanicals. The fish will be occupied almost all day.

 

[coralbandit]

I would not be keeping GBR in a community tank at all unless the other fish are good at 82f/28c or higher.
I agree with Flyfisha and Mac.
Keep just one.
You have a male . The female will have a shorter analfin that ends at the tails beginning unlike your male whose anal goes into the tail clear to see in pic 2.
Pairs don't always get along great even when they breed, ask me how I know...

 

[Litfish]

Thanks everyone for all the valuable information.

I would not be keeping GBR in a community tank at all unless the other fish are good at 82f/28c or higher.

The tank is at 82, and with temp compatible fish. (Cardinals, sterbai corys).

Dwarf cichlids are territorial and most do not form fixed pairs but are polygamous.

I was under the impression, and had read that GBRs are monogamous. Does this tend to not always be the case?

 

[MacZ]

I was under the impression, and had read that GBRs are monogamous. Does this tend to not always be the case?

There are dozens of genera and over a hundred of species of dwarf cichlids. M. ramirezi are serially monogamous, actually. Usually they would have sometimes one, sometimes a series of partners per breeding season. In captivity, especially in breeding setups, it is possible to keep pairs staying together almost indefinitely. But that's mostly due to lack of choice.

 

[Litfish]

M. ramirezi are serially monogamous, actually. Usually they would have sometimes one, sometimes a series of partners per breeding season. In captivity, especially in breeding setups, it is possible to keep pairs staying together almost indefinitely. But that's mostly due to lack of choice.

Interesting. I believe I will stay with my one male, as I’m not necessarily trying to breed them, and if everyone believes it is okay to keep solo males.

 

[Flyfisha]

Solo rams have been no problem in my tanks.

It probably best to not risk breeding behaviour until you are ready for the extra work ? Wise choice.

 

[Litfish]

Solo rams have been no problem in my tanks.

Good to hear we’re all clear there.

It probably best to not risk breeding behaviour until you are ready for the extra work ? Wise choice.

Absolutely. Im not working with a ton of space tank wise, and there are corys in the tank, so I think it would be quite stressful for both fish during breeding.

 

[Flyfisha]

In the future when you are ready to think about trying to breed dwarf cichlids you will need a couple more tanks, plus lots of time on your hands.

Yes corydoras are the enemy of a ram with eggs. That combination would be very stressful on everyone including the human.

 

[TheRamShack]

It could work, then again, it could not work. What I usually do is remove the first fish from the tank for a few days to a week, then add back together with the new fish. Or, majorly change up the decor so that it looks like a new environment.