Ram Questions

I have a just received a blue ram cichlids, i think it is a female.

Question:
Can rams be kept by themselves or should i get her some mates.
If yes, how many.
Do i get more females or males.

 

Its not ment to be alone. Get 2 males and one female extra so that you have 2 pairs. Just make sure of the sexing. They will pair off soon after. Lovely fish to keep but just make sure the PH is low(6.5).

 

Sexing Rams; Look at the black blotch on the side, the males blotch is black with no blue sparkles in but the females do have these sparkles. The males dorsel fin(first 3 rays) are bigger. Famales have pinkish bellies and a shorter stocky body in comparison.

 

@Go-Big

I also used the black blotch to check sex but these days its almost impossible via this method. I have found loads of male fish with the blue in the blotch. Do not know why this is.

If you can get bigger fish the pink belly is your best bet and the build of the fish. But again if your a newby then you would not know what the difference should look like.

The rays is alos still working good even though its difficult when very young.

@mip With decent rams you will however be able to use all the things Go-Big said.

 

Might be bad genes, inbreeding, mass production from the East that causes this.

 

here is the little one, pic quality not the best but maybe u can help sex it

 

Do u guys know where in Joburg i can get some good quality rams

 

Looks female.

 

Yep female. 100% sure.

 

Sparkels on blotch, pink belly, small fin rays, deep body and al fins have roundish edges.