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Hey I just have a few questions about the post spawning behavior of Bolivian Rams.
I have a male and a female. The male recently has been showing some very nice deep red and pink fins along with a ver very orange throat and belly. The female has had some color but she also has some reddish on her belly and she is getting quite plump.
My two rams have always had a love- hate relationship. Mostly hate though. I was wondering how old are they when the can spawn? How big are they usually when able to spawn? What behaviors do they exhibit when attracting mate and what not? Do they pair for life like Blues?

My rams have just laid some eggs.. i find when they are mating or preparing to mate they exhibit gorgeous bright deep colours just as you have described. they will also have there moments were they will chase each other around the tank, then they will cuddle up .. and chase and eventually mate..


im not quite sure on age though..mine are fully grown. i do know it normally takes a few goes before you actually get fry. they will move their fry once hatched to a whole the male will dig in the gravel where they will attempt to look after them.

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Truth doesn't always win friends but it influences them

Hi there,
Bolivian Rams seem to be fully capable of breeding
at about 6-8 months of age. Spawns tend to be
most prolific at around 1 year and after.
Are your sure your love-hate relationship with your rams is such a thing? Rams generally squabble and fight and push and shove during the courtship phase to make sure that the other one is a suitable mate. This is likely what youve witnesses.

By 6-8 months to 1 year of age when Bolivians reach breeding age, the size will usually be 2 inches or so.

When attracting a mate, males reds turn redder, the blacks blacker, and they develop a bright yellow/orange throat and belly area. Males will go in front of a female, put all their fins out to the max, and do a sideways shake in front of the female.

Females get a bright pink belly which shows that they are full of eggs and ready to go. They will often "dance" with the male is his sideways shake.
The pair will often appear to fight, even liplocking, to judge if the mate is good quality.

Once they have paired up, they generally pair for life,
though this is not always the case. Bolivians can and have been known to harem spawn (one male taking several females as mates). Though this is much less common then the pair bonding tradition. They will usually spawn on a smooth,
flat peice of stone which they will meticulously clean.

I think it wont be long before you see eggs from your rams.
Sounds like they are pretty close to pairing.
If you dont have any, place a few 3-4 inch diameter
smooth flat stones in the tank.
Smaller stones can work too.
Good luck!


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