[Dr.Ponce]

I guess i should be thankful, over here they are sold for about US$2.25-3.00. and $4.50 for albinos...

To tell males from females i look for this:
1. Extended first rays of males dorsal fin
2. Vibrant colors on males (darker black bands, brighter pearlescent spots)
3. Female's pink belly
4. Males are more slender, females are bulkier (and sometimes bigger)

PD. I will definetly try the method on the post above, seems like it should be more reliable....

 

[pnigmenos]

I was in the same situation with you .I set up one of my aquariums just to make them breed.I thought that I had 2 males and one female.But when I start taking the ph down then suddenly the supposing to be female turned out to be male, which makes me think that they will show their full colors only in the optimum ph that is between 6.6-6.2. Anyway even there I find it hard to see the difference.We can always hope. Under I sent u the differences of the male and female blue rams as given in a site specialised in fish.I also have to add that there may be a case that u have a male and female and still they want mate , cause they wont form a couple.


''The male's front dorsal fin rays are much longer than the female's, forming the telltale "spike." The dorsal fin of the male also tends to have a pointed shape near the caudal fin, where the female's is more rounded. Females are smaller and have a reddish tinge on their pelvic regions, especially when getting ready to spawn. Also, the black spot on the side of the female blue ram may have irridescent blue spangles throughout, and the male's tends to be solid black.''