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	I need help with my bolivian rams
rocker23 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 70 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jun-2005	i just bought a pair of bolivian rams today. they have been in my 45 gallon tank for 3 hours and the male is constantly bothering the female, he's trying to make himself look really big by stretching all his fins and swimming close to her. he's a little bit smaller than the female
Posted 21-Jul-2006 02:21
rocker23 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 70 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jun-2005	i just saw the male and female locking jaws together is this a mating ritual?
Posted 21-Jul-2006 02:26
Posted 21-Jul-2006 02:27	This post has been deleted
Big E Fish Addict Posts: 606 Kudos: 382 Votes: 0 Registered: 20-Feb-2001	The "get big" phenomena is often the male trying to impress the female. Lip locking in cichlids is usually the two fish sizing each other up to see if the other is tough enough to make a good mate...although it can just be aggression, too. Eric
Posted 21-Jul-2006 04:13
Fish Guy Mega Fish Posts: 1091 Kudos: 1254 Votes: 2 Registered: 28-Jan-2004	Yes and no, its always hard to tell with new world cichlids if they are breeding or fighting. I do have my doubts that they are breeding just becasue they have only been in the tank for 3 hours. To make sure look at the females belly and if its bloated and you can see her ovisptor then shes in breeding condition.
Posted 21-Jul-2006 04:14
rocker23 Hobbyist Posts: 105 Kudos: 70 Votes: 0 Registered: 23-Jun-2005	the female is a little bloated. the male seems to have been guarding this teracotta pot
Posted 21-Jul-2006 05:05
sirbooks Moderator Sociopath Posts: 3875 Kudos: 5164 Votes: 932 Registered: 26-Jul-2004	They'll have a spend a little time getting used to each other before anything else happens with them, whether one becomes dominant or they form a pair. But at least the lip locking lets you know that the male has made it to first base already. He must be good. And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."
Posted 21-Jul-2006 05:57
bonny Ultimate Fish Guru Engineer in waiting Posts: 3121 Kudos: 498 Votes: 7 Registered: 09-Mar-2003	Seems quite normal to me, although it does seem a tad strange that they should be doing it after 3 hours. Meh they must like your tank Even if it is aggression I highly doubt it'd be anything serious, worst case scenario is that the female will become stressed so just keep an eye on her. As for the male guarding the cave it's probably just him asserting his territory but it does look like a probable breeding site.
Posted 21-Jul-2006 11:51


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