German Blue Ram

[Toby]

Hi to everyone

A friend of mine has got two German blue rams and I was just wondering if there is any way one can tell from their colors if they are happy or stressed or kinda see what mood they are in?

[Go-Big]

Presume we are talking about adult fish here, coz the juvinile are very pale in comparison. The general rule is if there colours fade they are stressed or sick, the brighter the happier. If you buy them from your LPS you will see them brighten up once settled in there new home. In breeding the females belly also show a more pink belly that normal.

[Toby]

Even if the Black on the sides is pretty bright?

[Go-Big]

The females have a blueish colouration in the black spot, like glitters. The males black spot is only black with no blue. What is your concerns here? Any other behaviour that bothers you?

[Toby]

No No no concerns just curious because I noticed the colors change slightly during feeding time

[Go-Big]

That would indicate there exitement or it might be that they want to show there health to the other fish in a attempt do deter them to compete. Like a springbok pronking to show a lion that he would not be a easy catch, rather look for a weak one.

[Toby]

Thats pretty cool :) Thanx for the info

[Go-Big]

Really cool fish.

[cools32]

If the rams are showing thick black vertical bands, they are more stressed than normal. Sometimes, when just introduced to a new tank, or after a water change for example.