Sexing German Blue Rams - Fish for the Planted Aquarium

guppy · 03-08-2004, 06:23 PM

I have a German Blue Ram not really sure what sex it is.
What are some ways to tell male from female?
Ill get a picture soon... thx for any suggestions

-gUpPy-

Sir_BlackhOle · 03-08-2004, 07:44 PM

I am trying to find out the same thing! I will let you know if I come up with something definite.

tsunami · 03-09-2004, 05:41 AM

In high quality blue rams, the second ray of the dorsal fin is elongated in the male. Females usually don't have this longer ray.

Females also tend to have rose-pink bellies.

The block spot on the side of a male blue ram will simply be black. On females, the black spot will have bright blue speckles.

IMO, females also tend to be considerably smaller than the males.

Congratulations on buying such a beautiful fish. They are one of my favorites. I have five (3 males, 2 females) in my 55 gallon. I'll try to take pictures of them during spring break --they are a sight to behold.

Carlos

JLudwig · 03-09-2004, 05:51 AM

The female is the one that lays the eggs.... seriously, Carlos is correct for some rams, but this trait can sometimes be reversed in imported stock as the level of selective breeding in these beautiful fish has taken its toll.

According the archives on the krib, the species should not be considered sexually dimorphic... thats not to say you can't find a trait in your strain thats consistently male or female, but this will vary from breeder to breeder. Despite being labeled German Blue these fish are almsot always from SE Asia (price of a german dwarf cichlid ~ $30-35US a piece to give an idea if it actually came from Germany).

Great fish though! ... remember, these guys need higher temps and soft water to make it more than a year. IME, they really really like to eat a lot, 2x or even 3x daily feedings are best. If you are set on breeding, its best to purchase your stock from a local breeder thru a service like aquabid, its the only way to be sure you actually have a mated pair...

Jeff

tsunami · 03-09-2004, 06:01 AM

I agree with Jeff. I once had store bought rams, and they were impossible to sex. They were also prone to many diseases and died at an early age.

The five I have now are from two different local breeders. They are among the most beautiful fish I've ever had.

Carlos

Sir_BlackhOle · 03-09-2004, 10:43 AM

I got my two from the LFS. They always take the best looking pairs and keep them for their planted tanks, which I think kinda sux. The pair I have will hopefully color up more when they get a bit older. I have no idea if I have a male/female or male/male pair.

[img]ftp://redlam1:sixnine@ftp.interconnect.net/RamID.JPG[/img]

guppy · 03-09-2004, 05:13 PM

Thanks yea, I ordered a pair from the lfs and their coming in tomorrow hopefully

or im getting two German blue rams since i told the guy no asian rams...
but how much are german rams usually?
Cause the one i have the store manager gave it to me for $3 bucks :P since i go there a lot...
mine sorta looks like the first picture you put up
and i also noticed it has pink in the belly region female ?

Sir_BlackhOle · 03-09-2004, 05:48 PM

I really have no idea. I didnt notice the pink. I will look again tomorrow. I was hoping someone might be able to tell.

Thanks

guppy · 03-10-2004, 04:35 PM

woo hoo i got a male german blue ram today yay!
it was the only one eating in the tank and looked the best so yea... $10 not that bad =/ i might get another one a few days down the road... ill get a picture of him for sure though...

Sir_BlackhOle · 03-10-2004, 07:31 PM

Well one of my rams is not doing very well. I came home today to find it sitting on the bottom and kinda greyish in color. I isolated it in a basket and did a water change. Its not eating...dont know what the problem could be as everything else is doing fine. I hope he (she?) makes it.