Blue Rams

[lachojski2005]

im moving all my fish to a new tank and iv got a pair of blue rams that i have put in a seperate tank to my others cos its a little cramped.the females belly has gone really red and they have both started playing (swimming in tandom and fighting)and digging holes in the sand,they made 2 in two of the corners and have since made them bigger.i thought this was mateing behaviour but have not had any eggs.so are they just marking territory or somthing else?
many thanks

 

[lachojski2005]

anyone?

 

[jayjay]

The behavior would suggest breeding, just give them a little time. Do they have any spawning sites?

 

[Topazlizz]

I'm also convinced that breeding will follow given time. Pairing and mating takes a few days before breeding occurs and the dead giveaway is the colour deepening, especially on the female. Polishing rocks and digging holes are a part of it, as is swimming in tandem. Courtship fighting should stop fairly quickly, that's an early stage. Make sure they have places to hide as well as flat surfaces like flat rocks to lay their eggs on.