Bolivian Rams Fighting/ Feeding Help Needed

[rach_spug]

Hi, I bought a pair of Bolivian Rams about a week ago and I'm having a couple of problems! Can someone help please?

Firstly... I was told these fish should be kept in pairs or small groups! I bought a pair, they spent the first few hours huddled in a corner. Now one lives at one end of the tank and one at the other and if one crosses the half way mark of the tank the other one attacks they seem to lock lips and circle each other before both swimming off in opposite directions. I don't think either fish gets hurt, and they are no nipped fins or anything and they don't show any signs of aggression to any of the other fish.

They have colored up quite a bit since they have become more settled and are becoming more active everyday.

The other problem I am having is that I never see them eat anything! They spit flakes out and some frozen pellets I have tried. Last night they spat out brine shrimp and I can't seem to get any bloodworms or tubfex down to them. I have 3 black widow tetras - the most greedy and fast swimming fish I have ever know they fight for every drop and never seem to get full.

The only thing I have seen them eat is sinking catfish pellets, which again its hard to get enough down to them as the other fish swoop them up before they reach the bottom. Plus I'm sure it won't be very healthy to feed them on one type of food alone.

Does anyone know some food they love or have any techniques or ideas to get some more food to reach them. They seem in good health, but I'm worried that this won't last much longer.

Its a 120 litre tank with small community fish, with lots of plants and hidey holes

Please help my beautiful fish

Thanks

Rachel

 

[ox5477]

Firstly... I was told these fish should be kept in pairs or small groups! I bought a pair, they spent the first few hours huddled in a corner. Now one lives at one end of the tank and one at the other and if one crosses the half way mark of the tank the other one attacks they seem to lock lips and circle each other before both swimming off in opposite directions. I don't think either fish gets hurt, and they are no nipped fins or anything and they don't show any signs of aggression to any of the other fish.

This is natural cichlid behavior. Once in a tank/environment for a certain time, they will establish what they feel is "their" territory. If another member of their species or another cichlid species enters that territory, they will defend it. Dwarf species like the rams are very peaceful when it comes to dealing with other fish like shoaling fish in their territory, but with other rams... they can be just as territorial. 120liters should be a big enough tank for two individuals so if you see the occational territorial dispute, dont worry. The lip-locking rarely ends in anyone hurt and is the equivalent of us arm-wrestling... just to see who is stronger. If you start seeing one of them missing scales or fins... then you need to take action.

They have colored up quite a bit since they have become more settled and are becoming more active everyday

As they settle in and feel more secure, their colors will brighten greatly and you will learn to read their emotions through their coloring/patterning. Cichlids use this as we use facial expressions, to show emotion and convey messages to others.

The other problem I am having is that I never see them eat anything! They spit flakes out and some frozen pellets I have tried. Last night they spat out brine shrimp and I can't seem to get any bloodworms or tubfex down to them. I have 3 black widow tetras - the most greedy and fast swimming fish I have ever know they fight for every drop and never seem to get full.

The only thing I have seen them eat is sinking catfish pellets, which again its hard to get enough down to them as the other fish swoop them up before they reach the bottom. Plus I'm sure it won't be very healthy to feed them on one type of food alone.

Does anyone know some food they love or have any techniques or ideas to get some more food to reach them. They seem in good health, but I'm worried that this won't last much longer.

Some fish can be finicky about what they will eat depending out what they have been fed so far in their life. If they wont take a food, usually you can train them to eat it by only offering the one type of food. They will not let themselves starve so eventually, they will learn to take a food. If you see them have no interest in any food at all... then there may be something else going on... ie an illness. But this is for when it gets to over a week and they dont even glance at food when you drop it in... by the end of as week, they should be gulping down food.

Ox