[aaronguitarguy]

So I got this couple of blue rams (deemed to indeed be male and female by some kind board members here) but I have another question. I noticed some things about their behavior of which I have recorded some footage:
-The larger male seems to be chasing the female a lot
-They can both lose their color/black spots and change back to bright and saturated in the course of a few minutes
-The female sometimes rubs her belly through the sand (as can be seen in the end of the video)
-The female doesn't always swim away when being chased and sometimes seeks out/follows the male

Video:

So is this normal behavior or what? Are the bonding or fighting? And what's with the belly rubbing?

Thanks again!

 

[OVT]

I say they are ready to spawn.

 

[aaronguitarguy]

Wow, really? That would be amazing! What can I do to help them? And what would be the chances of the eggs hatching? Also I thought they lay their eggs on a flat surface, like a rock?

 

[OVT]

Nothing really, just continue with your normal routine. If you see them cleaning a rock, or driftwood, a leaf, or digging a pit in substrate then you will have eggs. Cory and fungus will likely get some eggs but the parents will take care of the rest.

Personally, when I get eggs I always get fry. But mine are in community tank and my fry never survived beyond a couple of days.

Watching cichlids parenting is always cool and exciting.

 

[vigilanterepoman]

Great looking tank op! What are your specs?

As far as the rubbing behavior, the only alternate explanation would be something in the water is irritating her, but this seems unlikely due to the fact that it is only her, and she only does it on the sand...

 

[Coralbandit]

Looks to be breeding behavior .
Enjoy !

 

[aaronguitarguy]

Great looking tank op! What are your specs?

As far as the rubbing behavior, the only alternate explanation would be something in the water is irritating her, but this seems unlikely due to the fact that it is only her, and she only does it on the sand...

Yeah and only in one spot as well. Nitrite and nitrate are all virtually zero.
And thanks! It's a Juwel 125L, low tech setup. I did replace the Juwel lighting with led strips on a controller; 2 white strips and one RGB strip. Makes for great sunrises/sets and more natural looking moonlight as well!