Ram Pair No Longer Getting Along

I'm not super good at sexing these guys. When I first got them they hung out constantly. Now the albino chases the larger blue away any time he ventures out. I was told they are both GBR (albino being female, the other being the male). Not sure they are really a pair anymore. Suggestions?

 

could be mating behavior, things get nasty when they are mating

I don't have experience with other varieties than the "classic" GBR. The female shows a red belly as you can see in my avatar. The male has longer first rays on the doral fin.

 

could be mating behavior, things get nasty when they are mating

Any precautions I should take? On occasion I do see them hanging out, but when the female is foraging she chases him off. Does the albino look female to you? I'm pretty sure the other is male.

 

I did some edits on the previous post

I cannot see the pictures, it shows a lil blue square with a question mark instead of the pic.

Judging from your avatar the regular GBR looks like a male, but the pic is a bit blurry

 

I did some edits on the previous post

I cannot see the pictures, it shows a lil blue square with a question mark instead of the pic.

Strange. I'm not sure where to host my s. All I can see is a URL option (no upload).

I can post a link to the dropbox where there are stored ...

 

Are you using the "Upload a File" button under the comment box right next to the "Post Reply" button? It has always worked for me. That is strange.

 

oh! good call Kimberly! I was using the button on the top nav

 

hmm, still hard to tell, the regular GBR is hiding the fins but judging from the belly and overall look I still think he is a male. As I said before I have no experience with albinos or electric, so I don't know about their sexual dimorphism.
However, the albino looks plump to me, could be carrying eggs. My advice is to keep an eye on them. IME GBR show low conspecific aggression, but get aggressive during mating

How big is the tank? What other fish share the tank?

 

hmm, still hard to tell, the regular GBR is hiding the fins but judging from the belly and overall look I still think he is a male. As I said before I have no experience with albinos or electric, so I don't know about their sexual dimorphism.
However, the albino looks plump to me, could be carrying eggs. My advice is to keep an eye on them. IME GBR show low conspecific aggression, but get aggressive during mating

How big is the tank? What other fish share the tank?

Interesting observation. She has been spending some time in a little cave lately. Perhaps preparing a space to lay? She doesn't seem to be bothering him too much, but I do worry he might not be getting enough intake since she's been chasing him away. I have a small school of 11 rasbora, many little pond snails, a amano shrimp. The tank is a 20 gallon.

 

I would say yes its a female but can't say 100% . Her top fins do look like a males . I currently have 4 pairs of GBR and 1 gold pair . The males top front fin is taller and has more color

 

What's your water temperature?

 

What's your water temperature?

78

 

GBRs are funny in that they don't always pair up just because they are a male and female. They are by far some of the pickier fish I've bred. It is usually best to get a group of several males and females and then wait until they pair off. They can also be breeding really great for quite some time then get "divorced". You can't force a pairing with these guys as you can some other fish, but they tend to form tighter bonds and so are choosy in their mates.

 

78

Too cold for GBR bet if you brought it to 80 he/she would color up a bit. I can't tell the sex for sure otherwise.

 

Too cold for GBR bet if you brought it to 80 he/she would color up a bit. I can't tell the sex for sure otherwise.

ah ok. I can bump it up slowly and see if she starts to show her true colors. Thanks!

 

Also, the albino you're referring to is a gold Ram! Also will color up in warmer water. Here's my male Gold Ram, he's kept at 85.