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Ok so I have these two bolivian rams in my 55 gallon planted tank. Im pretty sure I have ended up with two males. I have had one of them for a little over a year now and the other slightly less than that- maybe six months. I am soon going to be going to the shop that I get the Bolivs from and I am just wondering should I get more? I want to at least get a female for each. Should I just buy a few young ones and hope they grow up to be females? Because I am having the hardest time getting a pair here (this is the second time I have ended up with 2 males). The two of them are constantly squabbling, lip locking, displaying, and the older one chases the younger one everywhere. I am going to post pictures along with this post just to make sure everyone believes they are both male. Thanks!

I have four all strong bright coloured ones (possible male) in the 5ft tank there is plenty of room for them all the other day I noticed a jaw locking action happening it must have lasted about 45 seconds it was just like a push and shove no damage to either. Give them plenty of DW or small caves they seem to claim an area for themselves.

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Keith

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Here is a pic of the older ram. He has the longer filament on the top half of his caudal fin. Both of them sport deep red in the fins and deep orange in the chest.

Attached Image:

OLDER RAM

Here is the younger/ slightly smaller ram. Ive posted this pic before so sorry to those who have seen it. But this is the best pic I have of this one.

Attached Image:

YOUNGER RAM

Last night in chat we were talking about an article describing the differences in the genders of blue rams. The article described how in males the anal fin will extend past the start of the caudal fin, and with females the fin is either shorter or at least does not pass the start of the fin. I was wondering, does this apply to bolivian rams also? If so that would mean I have two males pictured here.

EDIT: I just now went on google images and looked at pictures of bolivians. It does seem that all the males had anal fins that extened past the start of the caudal along with females having anal fins that did not reach past the start of the caudal fin.

Please let me know what you think.

I wouldn't rule out the second one to be a female just yet. It looks a plumper more filled out body shape than the male.

Just having two fish could be the problem. The male is maturing and wants someone to spar with so he feels good.
The female has no one else to fill in for her when she gets tired of sparring.

If you get another 2 bolivians, I would still look for the shorter fins as the best indicaton of females in the lfs.

Thanks Bren.

I will look for a female.Although last time I went out looking for a female I ended up with the younger one (who seems to be male). You are probably right. He just needs someone to get out aggression on.

Hm, I'm guessing the second one might actually be female. The aggression might be breeding behavior, if you look at the top picture the tube on the male is actually slightly out.

Just a thought, bolivians are tricky fish to sex.

wow beautiful specimens... some day when I grow up (and I set up my 55g) I will hvae Bolivians as well... They are soo beautiful! Keep the pics coming!