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i plan to get 4 German Rams...hopefully to breed, would a better combination be 1 male and 3 females or 2 males and 2 females.

thanks in advance

It's hard to say because they are life breeding partners, and they won't always breed just because you have a pair. I would say you are better off getting 2 male 2 female juveniles and seeing if they pair off together.

Since you don't know how they will make their selection for a mate, I would opt to have 2 males and 4 females to try to maximize the mating combinations.

Be cautious in selecting fish at your LFS as Asian imports are oftentimes shipped in lots that are exclusively male or female. Sexing may be done by:

Male

1. The male will have long black colored 'spikes' extending vertically out from the tip of the dorsal closest to the head.
2. The dorsal is most often pointed at the tip facing the caudal fin.
3. The male is larger; the pelvic fins are larger.

Female

1. The female will have a pinkish colored pelvic region.
2. The dorsal is rounded at the end.

There are definitely exceptions to this rule but in general it is the most accurate. Since Rams are becoming increasingly more diverse in coloration and size, some aquarists hold opposing views. Ie. there are Blue Ram females with longer dorsal rays (like the Bolivian Ram), similar to many males. As far as I know, Rams most closely connected to the wild form, often show blue spangles/dots on the black spots on each side of the middle of the body. If they contain blue spangles/dots, it most likely signifies a female

Last edited by Bob Wesolowski at 09-Sep-2005 10:46

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

thank you both very much

if i knew how to give kudos i would be giving it to both of you, but i don't so alas i cant give it to either haha.

but again thank you

that is no longer around i think but i would try 2m, 2f,

but put alot of flower pots so no fighting.

haha that would explain why i cant figure out how to rate people.

thanks for the help

"As far as I know, Rams most closely connected to the wild form, often show blue spangles/dots on the black spots on each side of the middle of the body. If they contain blue spangles/dots, it most likely signifies a female"

My ram females also have punky spikes, but the above stated by Bob was how I easily told them apart. Also pinkish/purplish around the belly.

1 have 1 male, 3 female and think I have me a pair !

Good luck with your rams


The Amazon Nut...

WooHoo! congradulations and thanks a bunch

nothing about the rams here, but about the kudos:
kudos are given to you if you respond helpfully to a person within the first 4 posts.


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a hah so that'h how it works, thanks for the info!