Bolivian Ram issues

[wolf_eyes]

So as some of you may know, I've been having some issues with my rams.

It started about a month and a half ago. I bought a male and female ram from one of the fish stores in town. Well the female I bought bullied the male around until one day he fought back.He was making it so she would have to stay in one corner of the tank. I had to go out of town for the weekend and when I came back the female was dead.

I bought a 30g tank (36x12x16). Learning from my mistake, I bought three more rams to go with the original male. The first ram bullied these three around as well but they were able to eat and learned to stay away from him. I though that they were maybe all males, so I went to another fish store in town and bought a female, based on her larger vent.

When she was introduce the dominate male took to her and the two were always together. The male defended her from all the others so I thought I had a compatible pair. I took the rest of the rams to a store 5 days ago. I had to go out of town again but before I left the pair was still always together and peaceful with each other.

Now today the male is aggressively chasing the female around whenever he sees her and I have noticed the female with some nipped fins. I'm kinda at a loss at what to do. Should I keep the male alone, take him to a store, or just watch them to see what happens? Thanks for the help guys.

[SunSchein89]

Without knowing anything about rams, I would say to take the aggressive male back and start from scratch trying to find some pairs. That's just me, though, I would probably wait for a few more experienced opinions on this one :rolleyes:.

[Red]

Add another female, or like sun said, start over with a new male, but bolivians are mean.

[Northernguy]

I found my two males to be nippy with each other but never with other fish.
I wonder if its a mating ritual or not! I wouldn't be surprised if it was.lol
They are cichlids.

[WhiteDevil]

firstly they are cichlids, 2ndly they are monogomous fish, so if that male had a mate you will notice what you are noticing, its a pecking order.

My rams are doing great, however his proven mate died, I got 3 female german blues, ONE female lives, SHE killed the other two for his affection.

Also, I noticed that by floating the females in a breeder box for the male to come check out did prove better, he didnt kill them and was able to repick a mate.

Nipping is territorial and use it to defend their spawn as well as prove the pecking order.

Bottom line,

they are CICHLIDS.
If you want nice community fish, stay away from cichs, even rams. They do good as community but not until they are paired off.

[wolf_eyes]

I know they are monogamous and picky, I've read about that. The issue I guess I am having is that I thought I had a pair but I guess I didn't. I think I'll go out to the store again and get a couple more and wait until they spawn to pull the others out. Thanks for the help everyone.

[Taurus]

Get some more females, yes. And I agree with waiting until a pair spawns until you pull the rest out.

I don't know whether you're able to buy a proven pair or not, but that is something to consider.

LOL..yes, cichlids are fickle.

I know they are monogamous and picky, I've read about that. The issue I guess I am having is that I thought I had a pair but I guess I didn't. I think I'll go out to the store again and get a couple more and wait until they spawn to pull the others out. Thanks for the help everyone.

[toddnbecka]

Laif Demason (FL fish farmer, African cichlids) was the speaker at last month's CCA meeting. When he wants to breed 2 fish he places them in a 10 gallon tank with a divider for a couple months. The male is able to become accustomed to the female's presence, and over time realizes she isn't direct competition for food. When the divider is removed they're usually fine together.

[WhiteDevil]

I can almost guarantee they wernt a pair at the LFS, they arent there long enough to establish relationships(they are alot like humans).

1 out of 3 from the LFS survived for me, girls that is, the chosen female off'd the other two.

If rams are giving you a problem, try a different dwarf, I got some curviceps and while convict like in appearance when they go to get it on they light up like xmas trees.

[wolf_eyes]

The rams weren't showing pairing activity at the lfs. However for the week and a half that I had a group of 5 rams in my tank at home, the original male male was staying together with one female. He also chased off any other ram that came near her. I thought that was pairing behavior and so I took the other 3 back to the store. I probably should have kept all 5 of the rams in the tank until the ones that were showing pairing behavior spawned but I didn't.

I really want some curviceps, I honestly find them better looking than bolivians but they are only sold by one person that I can find online and none of the stores in town sell them.

Today I bought a couple of more rams, they're acclimating now.

[WhiteDevil]

I get my curv's at the LFS he stocks all the neat stuff.

I paid 10 bucks for a unproven pair and ended up with a breeding pair as I woke up to the dad being a bully and saw the stash of eggs under and on my marimo carpet.