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Title: Sexing Blue Rams


Leema - February 15, 2006 10:48 PM (GMT)
I got 4 blue rams and they're tiny little things. At the store, all the boys were pretending to be girls with their colouration, except for the dominate boy... I wanted 2 boys 2 girls, and I've got 2 boys, I've got 1 girl, and I can't work out this last one...

I was looking at their dorsal fin to sex them. The boys have a filament that extends above the rest of the dorsal fin, and is slightly 'broken away'. The girl's dorsal fin is proportionate and 'in tact' (not broken away).
This one I can't sex... Its dorsal fin is broken away, but it does not extend above the rest of his dorsal fin.

Also, on the males, the pelvic fins are colourful and quite large. On the female, the pelvic fin is unnoticeable. The one I can't sex has pelvic fins like the boys.

Does it sound like this is a boy? :(

FishyFry - February 15, 2006 10:58 PM (GMT)
From "The Krib" site... you may find you can use one or two of these clues, but you might have to wait till he/she grows a bit more.

http://www.thekrib.com/Apisto/P-ramirezi-faq.html

"The first several spines of the dorsal fin or "crest" of the males are longer than those of the females. Males also tend to be a little larger than females. Females on the other hand tend to be fuller in the abdomen and exhibit a bright red coloration in this area when in breeding condition. "

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/ramfaqs.htm

From Wetwebmedia... there are some here that the other site does not mention. The problem is, both sites are contradictory when it comes to whether or not Rams are dimorphic.

"First of all males are slightly larger than the females. The forehead is a little broader on the males too. Females that are mature may have a rosy pink area on their belly. Males fins are slightly longer than the females.
Take a very close look at the black spot located on the side of the fish with a flashlight. On most males they have numerous blue scales on the side of the fish except over the black spot. Females on the other hand have larger more pronounced scales in and around this black spot. "

Leema - February 15, 2006 11:51 PM (GMT)
These fish are about 2 cm long right now - tiny! :P They're the smallest I've seen.
I could just wait but I'm impatient! :lol:

FishyFry - February 16, 2006 01:11 AM (GMT)
Got a magnifying glass? :)

Leema - February 16, 2006 01:23 AM (GMT)
I actually don't. Just moved and we threw out 'crap'... :P Didn't think I'd need it! :lol:

Polaris.northstar - February 16, 2006 02:55 AM (GMT)
you might have a fish thats also intersexed, this happens on rare ocations, I've seen it with my knives

FishyFry - February 17, 2006 12:15 AM (GMT)
QUOTE (Polaris.northstar @ Feb 15 2006, 09:55 PM)
you might have a fish thats also intersexed, this happens on rare ocations, I've seen it with my knives

I see that a lot with my Swordtails.

Leema - February 23, 2006 09:01 AM (GMT)
I'm pretty sure I ended up with 4 boys. Here some pics for you to comfirm. :(

Here's the two that I am REALLY sure are boys: :P
user posted image
The third pretty sure boy is the one in the background. He pretty much looks like those two. ;)

Here's the one that is most femine... :`(
user posted image




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