My GBR

[ads25490]

Hi all

I recently purchased a German Blue Ram for my aquarium and would like to know a bit more about it, I've attached a link for the image below and would like to know the following:
1) Is it a male or a female?
2) Can I keep another of the same sex in with it, without any hassle?

Here is the link:
http://s13.postimage.org/8ka1hic5j/image.jpg

Thanks in advance
Aaron

[koaladarshana]

That looks like a female to me (the shiny blue dots on her side black marking)...

Whether or not you can keep another GBR in your tank depends on the size of your tank. The minimum tank size for one is 20 gallons and they are territorial, so if you want to keep more you'll need a larger tank. EX: a m/f pair = 40 gallons, 3 = 55 gallons or larger (don't quote me though! these are just figures off the top of my head. you must do the research yourself...)

One thing to note is that GBRs thrive in heavily planted tanks so make sure they have plenty of plants (real or fake) to break up their line of visibility and provide spaces to hide.

A good link to read up on your new fish:

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species...agus-ramirezi/

Lastly, congrats! Rams are awesome little cichlids. If you really want her to put on a show go out and buy some frozen bloodworms and watch her go to town on them.

[Sandz]

1) It looks male to me. Has the pointed fins and very few specs of blue on the black dot. Also it has the front black crest that looks nice and dominant. Another factor is the body shape, its much longer/thin bodied than what a female looks like.

2) No however getting one of the opposite sex would work potentially in anything 20gal+ with a propper stocking scheme. I would need to know a lot more about its home to give you those details.

[fishmommie]

It's unfortunate that these gorgeous little fish are so hard to sex because it will not work having 2 males together - I know that from experience. I thought I had a male and female (so did the lfs owner). the more dominant male chased the smaller one mercilessly and nipped at it's tail. Before I realized there was damage, his tail was in shreds. I had to separate them - one in my 90 gal and one in my 30. they are getting along fine individually. and the tail grew back BTW (after eventually disintegrating down to nothing) but wow, he was a sorry looking little guy for a while.
I think if I were you, I'd just keep the one in that tank, be glad it's healthy and enjoy it.

[ads25490]

Thanks, if it is a female would it be okay to add another female with her? I don't want a male if it is a female as I don't want them to breed and injury my other fish, my other fish consist of 2 bristlenoses, 6 cardinals and 6 rummynoses and 3 upside down cat fish.

Thanks again
Aaron

[fishmommie]

The problem remains - how are you going to tell if it's a male or a female when you get it? I thought I had one of each. So did my LFS owner who studied his tank a long time before netting one he was 80% certain was a female. Turned out it was another male. :o(
You are taking a risk that you won't get the sex you want if you do get another one. I'm not saying absolutely don't do it, but have a contingency plan. You may have to get one of them out of the tank in a hurry and you'll need to have a place to put it. So if you don't have a second tank or a hospital tank, make certain the fish store is willing to take one back if a problem arises. Good luck! :o)

[ads25490]

I think I may just stick to one they seem happy e ought as it is :) thanks
Aaron