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	Bolivian Ram or Blue Acara
des_sniper Hobbyist Posts: 65 Kudos: 42 Votes: 11 Registered: 20-Nov-2006	I purchased what I thought was 2 Bolivian Ram Cichlids from a LPS. According to most discriptions, they fit the Bolivian Ram. However, they also fit the Blue Acara description quite well. From the pics that I have seen of both species, the Bolivian has his dorsal fin errect most of the time, but they do not have thier dorsal dins errect. The top edges of the dorsal and caudal fin are edged in orange, the ventral and anal fins have touches of blue. They have blue spots over their bodies. At times, the dominate one (males?) has 5 dark lines that are verticlely running down his body. The other one does not have these lines. If they are Bolivian Rams they are at their full adult size 3". But they seem a bit too agressive for Bolivians. They are kept with a pair of German Rams, various Tetras, and a few mixed plecos, and Cory Cats. in a heavly planted 55g. I apprechiate any help that I can get to find the exact species as I am new to dwarf Cichlids. P.S. I appologize that I am unable to provied a photo to help. "There is also a Clown Pleco in this tank some where. I am telling you, HE IS IN HERE."
Posted 06-Mar-2007 19:01
Fish Guy Mega Fish Posts: 1091 Kudos: 1254 Votes: 2 Registered: 28-Jan-2004	Hmmm, what makes me think that you have a Blue Acara is the vertical stripes on the body of one of them. Rams can be aggressive, but a Blue Acara is much more aggressive. But its really hard to tell as you stated without a pic.
Posted 06-Mar-2007 19:32
longhairedgit Fish Guru Lord of the Beasts Posts: 2502 Kudos: 1778 Votes: 29 Registered: 21-Aug-2005	Blue acara (young adult) http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_3265.jpg Head shot http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_3013.jpg Baby blue http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_1938.jpg Bolivian ram (fully adult) http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_8080.jpg and another head close up http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a245/longhairedgit/IMG_3390.jpg When you can see them clearly , they are hugely different , colour, morphology are completely different so there should be no mistaking the two. Hope the piccies help to clear things up. A ram in a mood can be nippy, but usually arent big trouble, a blue acara though, can pretty much kill anything in its own size range. Blue Acaras grow pretty fast,and are a much more robustly built fish, youll soon know!
Posted 06-Mar-2007 19:38
So_Very_Sneaky Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3238 Kudos: 2272 Votes: 201 Registered: 10-Mar-2004	Bolivian rams reach 4 inches at maturity, not 3. They may put their fins down in times of stress. Ive never known them to show dark barring at any time, and they usually only 1 or 2 spots on the shoulder area only, and always black. They are quite different fish, as you can see in Longhaireds photos. Come Play Yahtzee With Me! http://games.atari.com Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames
Posted 07-Mar-2007 00:52
des_sniper Hobbyist Posts: 65 Kudos: 42 Votes: 11 Registered: 20-Nov-2006	Ok, I got this straitened out, I have 2 Blue Acara's. I went to the local highend fish store and got the scoop on them...tomorrow we are all taking a trip back to the highend store and "sionara" Acara's. Thanks All! "There is also a Clown Pleco in this tank some where. I am telling you, HE IS IN HERE."
Posted 07-Mar-2007 06:14


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