German Blue Rams...help Sexing?

[xamy_valox]

So I've decided on 2 Bolivian rams to add to my set up. About to go and get them and I'm rather excited, anyone got any advise about what to watch with them or anything? Im gonna ask the guy in the shop but I tend to take what the shop people say with a pinch of salt cus sometimes they talk rubbish lol. I'm hopin to get a male and female as the guy says he can sex them for me...fingers crossed!

Brought them home, and have been assured they are male and female, however I'm still not convinced as they have already been 'ramming', looks like they are kissing but obviously they aren't =\
Can any of you guys sex them at all? Here are some pics, sorry they aren't great:

I can't seem to get many of them together as they swim away as soon as I come close to the tank, I don't even know if I've just took photos of the same fish!!
One does seem slightly bigger than the other and has more visible stripes, where as the other is a bit paler.

They are still quite small, will it be a problem if Ive ended up with 2 males? Will they fight?

Thanks

 

[stu40]

Hi
Those aren't Bolivians.Look more like German Blue Rams (mikrogeophagus ramirezi).Don't know for sure, but not not Bolivians.Sorry

 

[xamy_valox]

As if! They were sold as Bolivians!
Will I have problems? How big do they get? I better get researching!!!

 

[stu40]

google images for both.GBR require softer water i think.Never kept them, this just seems to be the opinion on here.
Got love LFS

 

[xamy_valox]

How annoying! I just googled them and I think you're right. Still have no clue as to wether they are male and female or both male. Apparently males have a black tip on the head but both of mine do, ones just more pronounced than the other!
Gonna have to try and get my PH down, argh!! Maidenhead Aquatics I hate you!

 

[fishyfeet]

not sure but they both look male to me, di

 

[xamy_valox]

Will they fight if they are both male?

 

[fishyfeet]

dont panic i cant see their dorsel fins to be sure, and they will be fine for a while, what size tank have they got and is it well planted

 

[Proxo]

Looks like 2 male german blue rams to me also, should be okay depending on the tank size. They're a more sensative then the bolivian rams but they happy to me from them pics.

 

[xamy_valox]

The tank is 125 litre and heavily planted. I might take one back for the fact that I was mis sold them and I specifically asked for male and a female, I wanted a cute breeding pair =[ I've got a 48hr guarantee on them, do you think that would be best to save the hassle of watching them like hawks?

 

[Proxo]

I think 2 males would be okay in a 125L, prob just as much hassle as having a breeding pair tbh.
From my experience with german blue rams it really all depends on the fish, i've had GBR survive high ammonia spikes (filter died) and some not survive 'perfect' water.

I think i'd personally give them ago, maybe replace one for a female but it's not guaranteed they'll pair.

 

[xamy_valox]

I've phoned the shop and they have agreed to change one. I wouldn't mind keeping both but I'm just annoyed with the shop anyway for selling them as ackmplwtely different fish! I don't mind having the blues as they look stunning, otherwise I'd be taking them both back and complaining about their labelling!!
Are we saying they are definitely both male by the pics? Cus I'm gonna feel really silly if I take one back and he insists it's female haha xx

 

[stu40]

If they can't tell the diff between types, who says they can tell male/female apart?

Just make sure you know how to.

 

[xamy_valox]

Ok so from what I've googled I'm looking for a female to have a slightly redder underside, shorter and more rounder fins and more blue across her black blob on the side! I can't really use the 'generally smaller' angle as they are all quite small as it is =\
I hope I'm not served by the same guy, I was also adding 2 more harlequins to bring my numbers up and he was like 'ahh we don't have any harlequins in' until I quite easily pointed some out. I bet he's gonna hate me haha. I'm gonna be sat there inspecting the fish before I leave to make sure I'm happy, I bet I still get it wrong =[

I cannot catch these guys to save my life, they aren't fighting, would I be ok just buying 2 females to go with them? Or is that too many for my tank?

 

[L_Plates]

They are definately GBR's Xamy.

Here is a photo of my female. You just about see the pink on her belly. This gets brighter as she gets closer to spawning.

And here is my male. No pink sheen at all and no blue in the black spot.

Hope this helps.

LP