Bolivian Rams

[paulioo]

I just bought 2 bolivian rams a few days ago, as yet i'm not sure of the sex.
Just recently i've noticed one of the rams is constantly chasing and trying to nip the other one.

It seems as though as soon as they get into each others line of vision the aggressive ram charges at the not so aggressive one.

Is this normal behavour? My tank 30g heavly planted with loads of little hiding places.
I feel sorry for the bullied ram


edit: This afternoon the bullied ram had enough and faced up to the aggressive one. They mouthed at each other but didnt seem to cause any damage.

Heres some pic's just in case anyone can identify if i have two males.
Fish 1- Bullied Ram

Fish 2 - Aggressive Ram

Paul

 

[paulioo]

bbbbbb b bb b b b b bump !

 

[nitro]

Im no expert on sexing Rams by all means but if they were both different sexes i would say that Ram2 is the male and Ram1 is the female.

Lets see if anyone else could give you a better answer.


One thing to look outfor is that if one is a male, he should start to grow long tail fin extensions.

 

[OIJ]

I agree, first one is a female and the second male. Just be patient, you might get a pair. I guess this is normal behaviour. Mine did that also in the beginning, now I have a pair that are always togeather.

 

[bugsy66]

I have a pair of these, the female quite often will go after the male. Don't know why, they don't hurt one another at all she just seems to be the boss of the tank. As they get older sexing them is very easy, my male is more colorful with long flowing fins and the females fins are a lot shorter. I think this is normal behaviour for these types of cichlids, they remind me alot like angelfish.

bugsy