20 Gallon Tank Trouble With Pair Of Bolivian Rams

Hello,

I’m struggling to decide what’s best to do for my pair of Bolivian Rams.

I had 2 breeding pairs in my 75 gallon until one make started being aggressive to the other male. He also tried to court both females and separate the other pair.

I removed the aggressive male and his partner and put them in a 20 long. The tank is moderately planted and has ember tetras and Corys.
They laid eggs in the first week of being in their new home but were stressed and ate them. After that the male became aggressive to the female and would not let her leave a specific corner of the tank. This pair never used to get on each other’s nerves so while damage wasn’t being done, this is quite aggressive for them.

This week the female sooo up for herself and ripped a chunk out of the males fin. He has been lethargic and pale for 2 days. I believe due to extreme stress not actual illness. The female keeps bullying him.

Today I panicked and went out and bough another 20 long. I was going to move the female over. I bought dwarf rainbows to be dithers as there’s not much to choose from besides locally bred fish due to COVID. But I think the rainbows will be suitable for the 20 long. I don’t have experience with them but have been researching them lately for another tank.

I got home with the new tank and the 2 rams are swimming around like nothing ever happened! The male looks fine now, they’re both still darker than they were In the old tank, but I think even the female who’s more confident isn’t quite settled. Ummmm.......now what? I want to give them a chance to stay together, I guess I set up the new 20 and watch carefully? I really really though they’re partnership was irreparable, this is the only promising behaviour since they laid their eggs the 3rd day in the new tank. What would you do and has anyone had a similar experience? In your opinion can rams salvage a relationship after something like this?

 

I've only ever had the one pair of Bolivian rams I'm keeping currently. But this sounds like rather normal behaviour for a pair, to me.
They only really stick together when they're feeling broody, and/or are taking care of fry.
At other times they can enjoy their own space. Lip locking , small tussles and chasing away from their own territory or food is nothing to worry about.
Just keep an eye.
As long as the pair aren't physically harming each other or showing signs of distress, I think they'll be fine

 

I've only ever had the one pair of Bolivian rams I'm keeping currently. But this sounds like rather normal behaviour for a pair, to me.
They only really stick together when they're feeling broody, and/or are taking care of fry.
At other times they can enjoy their own space. Lip locking , small tussles and chasing away from their own territory or food is nothing to worry about.
Just keep an eye.
As long as the pair aren't physically harming each other or showing signs of distress, I think they'll be fine

Thanks for the reply! It is normal for pairs to tussle a bit but this was pretty extreme. It’s not like she was beating him up enough to kill him, but he was so stressed he went white and wouldn’t move or react to anything. He also is missing half a pectoral fin (I’ll keep an eye out for infection). I even I put my hand in and could have picked him up if I wanted. He looks normal now, so I guess I’ll just watch closely. It was super weird!

 

Thanks for the reply! It is normal for pairs to tussle a bit but this was pretty extreme. It’s not like she was beating him up enough to kill him, but he was so stressed he went white and wouldn’t move or react to anything. He also is missing half a pectoral fin (I’ll keep an eye out for infection). I even I put my hand in and could have picked him up if I wanted. He looks normal now, so I guess I’ll just watch closely. It was super weird!

Oh dear! Sorry to hear that, that definitely does sound bad.
It is surprising. Have they successfully spawned before? The only time I'd imagine Bolivian rams becoming that aggressive is over a parental spat (one parent eating the eggs/fry)
My female took a long time to accept my male, and they had a few fall outs were they didn't appreciate each other very much. But they have since been able to repair their bond and are spawning frequently now.
It certainly never ended up as severe as your situation sounds though . I hope your male is going to be OK!
I'd hope it was just a fall out over the stress of the move and failed spawn. But there is always a possibility that they just don't get along, as with all cichlids.

 

Oh dear! Sorry to hear that, that definitely does sound bad.
It is surprising. Have they successfully spawned before? The only time I'd imagine Bolivian rams becoming that aggressive is over a parental spat (one parent eating the eggs/fry)
My female took a long time to accept my male, and they had a few fall outs were they didn't appreciate each other very much. But they have since been able to repair their bond and are spawning frequently now.
It certainly never ended up as severe as your situation sounds though . I hope your male is going to be OK!
I'd hope it was just a fall out over the stress of the move and failed spawn. But there is always a possibility that they just don't get along, as with all cichlids.

Thank you for the kind words! They have successfully raised dozens of fry. So maybe the fight was over the eggs being eaten, and the eggs were eaten due to the move being stressful. I’ll keep a close eye on on them but this does seem promising, at least I think? They just separated again after hanging out and sifting through sand side by side for the last hour. But like I said they have wanted absolutely nothing to do with each other for weeks. So maybe there is hope. I would imagine that if there is a chance they’re working things out and then I separated them it could cause even worse stress. I’m glad to hear your pair was able to rebond!

 

Thank you for the kind words! They have successfully raised dozens of fry. So maybe the fight was over the eggs being eaten, and the eggs were eaten due to the move being stressful. I’ll keep a close eye on on them but this does seem promising, at least I think? They just separated again after hanging out and sifting through sand side by side for the last hour. But like I said they have wanted absolutely nothing to do with each other for weeks. So maybe there is hope. I would imagine that if there is a chance they’re working things out and then I separated them it could cause even worse stress. I’m glad to hear your pair was able to rebond!

You're most welcome. Its never nice to have things like this happen to our little guys.
It is good news that they've spawned successfully before too. So you can at least rule out incompatibility issues.
My best guess is too that the move and quick spawn just added the tension and egg eating, thus resulting in the fight.
Mine "weren't talking to each other" for a very long time after their first fight either, my female even started attacking me!
I really hope it doesn't happen again, and that they are able to work it out and remain together.
I personally would just do what you're doing and keep an close eye. Especially so when they start preparing to spawn again, which it sounds like they might attempt again soon. Best of luck!

 

You're most welcome. Its never nice to have things like this happen to our little guys.
It is good news that they've spawned successfully before too. So you can at least rule out incompatibility issues.
My best guess is too that the move and quick spawn just added the tension and egg eating, thus resulting in the fight.
Mine "weren't talking to each other" for a very long time after their first fight either, my female even started attacking me!
I really hope it doesn't happen again, and that they are able to work it out and remain together.
I personally would just do what you're doing and keep an close eye. Especially so when they start preparing to spawn again, which it sounds like they might attempt again soon. Best of luck!

Thanks again