Shy Rams

[parker313]

I got a female blue ram about 2 weeks ago. She is doing GREAT. Not shy at all and feeds from the water surface. I got a male ram about a week ago and he's doing really well but has been very timid and shy and I end up overfeeding my other fish to make sure he gets some food b/c he doesn't come out and eat.

Today I was cleaning and came across a small mirror that I had in front of the tank when it had been just the female so maybe she wouldn't be so lonely. Just to see what the fish would do, I put it back in front of the tank.

Now, my timid male is out and swimming! First he was flaring up and fluttering at the fish in the mirror, but now he's actually gone up to the surface for some bloodworms and is hanging out in the open water

Has anyone else experienced this (or even been nuts enough to try )

B)
--Kristin

 

[impur]

I've never tried it on cichlids. I have a clown fish sticker stuck to the outside of my SW nano to try and get my clown to turn female but thats as close as it gets. Good job though, glad hes out and about. Any chances for some babies?

 

[parker313]

That's a good idea

I don't know if there are babies in the future, there may be! The pair are doing really well with each other, but the female seems to be younger than the male as she's much smaller, for what that's worth. If I see them spawn, the neons will most likely get moved to my community tank so I can do my part to help the ram fry.

 

[canarsie11]

I will try that

 

[Silva_Fishy]

ok.....................

 

[ramesses]

Hi Parker......A few things.This has happened to me before,too.Maybe the reason why the male was a bit shy is because he was getting used to his new home.Remember rams are very territorial,especially the males,and being in a new setting maybe meant there is a another male waiting to start a fight?Dunno.
Also many rams seem to be a bit shy at first because of water conditions.These fish will get used to just about any H2O parameters,but any change has to be very slow.
The mirror trick was awesome,though.

Please do not overfeed your other fish so he gets some.Your fish will come up and eat eventually.Trust me,no fish goes two three days without eating.Well......maybe some brand new discus.

Will they pair up?Of course.Doesn't matter if your female is really small.When she's ready and given that your tank shows the right conditions,they will lay some eggs.

 

[MrMashashin]

why do rams like neons as company?

 

[skipper]

I think it's because it makes them feel more 'secure' - ie.e having something smaller swimming around above them acting as 'look-outs'... Least that's what I've heard.

S

 

[Dwarfs]

Parker313: Do you feed your ram sinking pellets? They are more accesible to rams, being that rams like the bottom rather than top. Mine do Sounds like the mirror works well!

 

[ramesses]

Hi dwarfs,Mine actually go to the surface;They know that the only way they get to eat is by duking it out with the much bigger and stronger angels.When I first introduced them,they would stay at the bottom waiting for any fallen particles,now they know better.They are usually the first to greet my feeding hand,and after the feast,they are at the bottom with the angels picking up any little food they may find.

 

[tear-scar]

Smaller fish really do help. My ram seems to be doing a lot better now that he's been moved to a tank populated by ember tetras and endlers as his main feeding competition . . .

 

[impur]

why do rams like neons as company?

Cuz then they know, food is always available as long as those neons are swimming around up there. Just one bite and you have a nice yummy dinner.

 

[Dwarfs]

Hi dwarfs,Mine actually go to the surface;They know that the only way they get to eat is by duking it out with the much bigger and stronger angels.When I first introduced them,they would stay at the bottom waiting for any fallen particles,now they know better.They are usually the first to greet my feeding hand,and after the feast,they are at the bottom with the angels picking up any little food they may find.

Mine (bolivian) had a hard time eating from the surface, because his mouth is on the bottom, he couldn't aim his mouth at the food and usually missed a few times before he got some But blue rams may be different

 

[ramesses]

Ooops,sorry I thought you were talking about the blue/golden type,Ididn't know yours were the altaspinosas

 

[AmberC]

Well I'm just going to add that I think ramesses has given good advice.. I agree with everything he said.