[massinelli]

Hello there!

I'm coming back to the hobby after nearly 15 years. Started my first planted tank and now that i put the fish i am a little bit confused. At the LFS i asked for a pair of Electric Blue Balloon Rams, but im not sure if the vendor really gave me a male and a female. At first i thought that one is clearly a male (the long finned), but im not sure anymore.
So, i call for help from the fishmasters: based on the pictures ,is this really a couple? Im starting to think that are two females.
Plus, the long finned one are very agressive towards the other, constantly harassing her(?).
The tank is a 7 gallon that houses only the two rams and five Red Cherry Shrimps (the rams dont mess with the shrimps at all, just ignore them).

Thanks for the help!

 

[xrayguy]

rams that don't mess with shrimp? that's like a dream come true. I won't temp fate and try in my own tank, I doubt I am that lucky. Super jealousy of your rams.

 

[Plinkploop]

It does look like a male and female based on the first couple of rays on the dorsal fin, but that may not necessarily be true with balloon rams. They could just be a male and a female but not a pair... Keep an eye on them and make sure there's plenty of places for the non aggressor to hide. Giving them some dither fish might help but I don't think your tank is really big enough for more fish. I hope things work out!!

 

[NoahLikesFish]

Why are those things so short. Their organs are being crushed because they have a shortened spine it isn’t good for the fish

Why are those things so short. Their organs are being crushed because they have a shortened spine it isn’t good for the fish definitley male and female if one has different fins and is harassing the other that’s what dwarf chiclids do in a tank to small

 

[Plinkploop]

Why are those things so short. Their organs are being crushed because they have a shortened spine it isn’t good for the fish

Selective breeding... This is one of the species that purists get upset about.

 

[NoahLikesFish]

I hate it

What is this torture

 

[Discusluv]

I dont see any definitive signs of male or female, they dont look to be sexually mature as yet. When they are ready-- and providing have male and female-- the female will get a marked red belly. Make sure to add some flat rocks or a very small terra cotta saucer- they spawn on flat surfaces.
Having 2 in a tank that bicker is par for the course-- welcome to a tank with Rams.

View attachment 1028366 View attachment 1028367 What is this torture

The OP didnt ask for your opinion on the type of fish he /she is breeding or keeping. It wasnt a "what do you think of ballon rams" post. If you dont like the fish or disapprove of others keeping when your opinion is NOT sought- keep scrolling.

 

[massinelli]

rams that don't mess with shrimp? that's like a dream come true. I won't temp fate and try in my own tank, I doubt I am that lucky. Super jealousy of your rams.

Yes! That's awesome, isn't it? I was worried about adding the rams, since the cherries were inhabiting the tank earlier. When i research about rams and cherries cohabitating i found something like a 20/80 ratio of sucess, guess im a bit lucky, for sure! Maybe adding the rams later could be a source of sucess in this case.

It does look like a male and female based on the first couple of rays on the dorsal fin, but that may not necessarily be true with balloon rams. They could just be a male and a female but not a pair... Keep an eye on them and make sure there's plenty of places for the non aggressor to hide. Giving them some dither fish might help but I don't think your tank is really big enough for more fish. I hope things work out!!

Oh, i hope you're right! But what you said makes sense, even though they are male and female they could be not a pair. If that's the case i think they'll don't get along at all, right? I'll keep an eye, for sure! And yeah, im not planning to add no other fish to the tank.

I dont see any definitive signs of male or female, they dont look to be sexually mature as yet. When they are ready-- and providing have male and female-- the female will get a marked red belly. Make sure to add some flat rocks or a very small terra cotta saucer- they spawn on flat surfaces.
Having 2 in a tank that bicker is par for the course-- welcome to a tank with Rams.

Oh, do you think that's the case? Well, for sure they are young: i bought them just a day after they arrived at the LFS. I'll keep an eye as they grow bigger. I do have a flat rock already! Good to know that a little agression is nothing unusual.

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[Plinkploop]

Good luck with them!! Good thing about dwarf cichlids is a long as there's enough hiding spots their bickering doesn't really amount to anything unless one as weak/ sick. Love the color on your rams!!