[ADJAquariums]

What do i look for when sexing Bolivian Rams

Story for those interested-
So yesterday i went to petsmart originally looking for ottos and a new intake tube for my filter, instead i got a Bolivian Ram! normally i wouldnt buy a petsmart fish ecspecially this late in the week after restocking but i saw the Bolivian rams and i thought i have to get one! so i did, i picked one that was being more territorial and looked the healthiest, and i think i picked a good one. I was somewhat thinking the one i got was a female because of how territorial it was as well as its lack of red and blue spots on its underside fins. It is a full grown fish and it is a tanish color with little coloration to it (as in blues and Reds). I am 100% going to get another and i need to get an opposite sex. I would get a picture but my Camera finally went belly up, ill see if good o'l google can produce in this case.

 

[ADJAquariums]

Hmm, Google is showing all of the fish with colors to them, i might have to go out and purchase another camera, or get it as an early christmas gift.

 

[ADJAquariums]

Anyone?

 

[BriDroid]

I find it easier to tell them from the egg tube. Longer in the females. Fins and color don't seem consistent.

Here is one of my males.

 

[m00se]

This fish has to be one of the hardest to sex of any. My Petsmart has Bolivians too but they're all juveniles so it's impossible to sex them yet. BriDroid is right. The female has a thicker longer vent than the male and males have a small hump in the slope of their heads. It might just be too soon to tell on yours yet.

 

[OVT]

This question comes up periodically and my answer usually envokes either hysterical laughter or utter disdain but which served me well over the years: observe the fish when it's parallel to the background and check out the dorsal fin (PetSmart light-blue background really helps): even juvenile males have a transparent, filament-like trailer on the very last ray. It's pretty hard to notice the first time, but once you find it you will see it every time.

IME, Bolivians pair off at a relatively young age. At one time I had a single confirmed adult pair in a 75g, and even though they did spawn, they were constantly fighting.

The usual advise is to get 5-8 juveniles (5 seems to be my magic number for a 40 breeder) and let them pair off. Out of my last 5 (3M + 2F) from PetSmart, a single pair was apparent the next evening: the 2 claimed the right 1/3 of the tank, 1F the center 1/3 and the 2 males divided the left 1/3 front and back corner. The male in the back corner was chased and eventually starved to death by the rest.

A chancier way is to try to identify all males at PetSmart and watch the interaction and their territories: you might be able to identify a single female that does not get chased away by a specific male. For whatever reasons, if I am able to spot a pair at a store, they occupy the right front 1/4 of the tank.

2 days after the PetSmart escape, you can just see the pair in the front-right corner:

 

[m00se]

OVT, out of all the attempts to describe ram gender, yours stands out as unique! This is fascinating. My tanks are dark right now (it's 9:40 am in NY) but as soon as they come on I will be examining my rams in detail! I fear I might become OCD in the process LOL

Thanks and I will report findings asap!

 

[ADJAquariums]

Hmm i've been looking at mine and i do think it might be too early to tell, however i do see a noticeable "bump" about an eigth of an inch or so from the dorsal fin.

Ive had it home for 3 or 4 days now and its fins are already showing more and more color.

I do have a camera now, but it didnt come with a cable to connect it to the computer, so im stuck without pictures for about a week or so

 

[JerSaint]

Looking to see if I have a possible pair. Help please!

Hi all,
I found this thread right before posting one looking for tips on sexing my Bolivian Rams. I have photos and would LOVE to hear what you all have to say.
BriDroid GREAT looking fish!
OVT that is a beautiful tank!
On to the photos...

Thanks for your time! Please let me know what you think.

 

[ADJAquariums]

Well i dont know what to think really. I might just pick another up and hope for the best. Petsmart and my LFS sell them fairly cheap and returning is not a problem so i might as well get another

 

[Curt_914]

Your best bet is to get at least 3-5 more and see if they pair off. It is eaiser to tell once they are about 9-12 months. It has been a couple years since I had any but I got perty good at sexing my fish after a while.

Curt