german ram

[Kaga's Kritters]

I just got a german ram. He doesn't really have any color to him though, but I thought he was neat and have always wanted one. One store I was at before had some that had a good bit of color, but they dont have any anymore, so I got one at a different store (which was cheaper anyway)...but the ones he gets in are very dull. They are more of a brown with a black spot on the side and a black stripe on the fins....but no blue speckling or bright colors at all. Why are they so different, is this a different type of ram? Will they ever get any color to them or would they already have it by now?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

german blue rams color fade and show more black when they're stressed, mine were the same way when i first got them. after a couple days they became comfortable in their new home and starting showing off their blue colors. Do you know the sex? i believe females are less colorful too

edit: they also have less color as juvies too

[gm72]

Interesting, I have no idea but will be watching this thread for the information that will be shared.

[Kaga's Kritters]

the back side of the top fin (dorsal fin i think its called) has a point at the back instead of being rounded so I am guessing its a male...

[~Erik3.8.07~]

yup that sounds like a male, how long ago did you get him?

[Kaga's Kritters]

yesterday....he looked this dull at the store too....but he could have been stressed there too i guess.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

is he still hiding a lot or is he starting to explore the tank?

[squirt_12]

feeding him flakes that help their colour and they will come back. Because my fish had pretty well lost their colour and i fed them a flake food that is good for their colour and in about a month their colour had come back.

[Kaga's Kritters]

he's exploring the tank already, very active. if i put my hand up to the tank he will run away, gets scared easily....but other than that he is acting very outgoing and alert.

oh yea, i feed omega fish food, so im guessing its good for there color, although it doesn't specifically say so. but i do know its good food, lol.

[squirt_12]

yeah he isn't used to his surrouinding yet...it can take fish wa hile to get used to their surroundings. He will come along and not be afraid and get colour to him. Just be patient.

[Kaga's Kritters]

thanks. i was hoping he would get some color to him .....but either way he's cool

[~Erik3.8.07~]

just give him a few days he should change, being the only one in the tank may just make him that much more nervous

[Kaga's Kritters]

he isnt the only one in the tank...he's got some friends..lol

[~Erik3.8.07~]

o lol, your post said i got A blue ram so i assumed he was the only one:9:

[Kaga's Kritters]

he's the only blue ram, but not the only fish.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ya thats what i meant, being the only blue ram may make him a bit nervous

[Kaga's Kritters]

oh ok....misunderstanding i guess.....do they do better in groups or pairs instead of having just one?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

much better in pairs (male/female), they'll be much happier that way

[Kaga's Kritters]

ok i'll keep my eye out for a female then. thanks.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ok i'll keep my eye out for a female then. thanks.

np, glad i could help :)

[gem]

better still.....rather than a pair....my suggestion is 1 male and about 3 females. If your tanks big enough you could even get two males and 4 - 6 females.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

are you saying this so the male will leave the one female alone? cause rams pick pairs and will stay together when they mate