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When the male was first introduced to the tank, the female (who was there first) naturally did some chasing towards this new intruder. No nipping, though. That was a few days ago. Yesterday she had got to the point of not being too bothered (i.e he could be within a few inches of her and she didn't bother to chase him, or maybe for a couple of seconds).

However, this morning, the tables have turned!

He is doing the chasing, and she is doing the escaping. No nipping going on though. Her black colours are a bit faded. But he is definately King 'o the Tank!

Why could this be? The only thing that has changed is that overnight the venturi 'aeriator' part to the filter has been on creating bubbles. Thats it.

could this be a prelude to breeding? How do they pair off? What kind of behaviour would they show?

x

Because her colors are a little faded I'd say it's still in the working out who's in charge stage.

It could also be that the male wants to breed but she isn't ready.

When my Rams are about to spawn their colors really stand out, especially the blue lines on their face. They chase each other a little at first but then their attention turns to keeping the other fish out of their space.

Like Angels they'll pick the spot they are going to lay on and clean it, though they aren't as obsessive as Angels about it. Then no other fish are tolerated near their spot.

IMO this is the best indicator that they are about to spawn. If you don't have another fish in the tank, I'd put one in. Something sturdy and not too big, I raise Angels so I have a dime size Angel in with them.

Good luck, Mike

Well, you were right about them still deciding, because tonight they are back to the other way round!!

I'm confused! I thought the spangles on the black spot meant that the fish was female? Or is this a general thing and not always definate?
- The male's blue spangles I've noticed today cover his black spot. (I am sure they didn't previously ) However the two fish {b]look male and female - she is plainer, more yellow. He is far more richer in colour, and has a fantastic crested dorsal clearly edged in black. She has similar colourings, but more understated. Surely they are male and female?!?!?

My lfs says blue rams are very difficult to sex, especially when they're young. And that the best way to tell is the pointed vs. rounded face. I'm having difficulty with mine as well. Sometimes you think you're sure what they are and when you look again and they look different.

Females get a little pink on their belly.
Males have black elongated rays on the dorsal and pecks. Females do also but not as long as the males.

Mike

Females are pink/reddish around the belly/genital area. I thought that the black banding on the dorsal fin had something to do with it but I was wrong. I'd return the last fish and ask the asistant for a female blue ram.