Bolivian Rams

Hi Guys,

I’ve just literally bought a second Bolivian Ram (the other recently died) and am pretty sure I have two males. However, almost immediately after introducing him, the other Ram (I call him Grumps!), has started harassing the other. I’m wondering whether I should have done a bit more homework and bought a female instead? I hope the behaviour doesn’t continue otherwise I may need to return him back.

Several years ago I bought 2 Bolivian rams, and I chose the two most different fish in the shop tank. They turned out to be 2 males. They tolerated each other for about six months in a tank with a 81 x 53 cm footprint. Then I saw some more in a different shop, rams which were mature and their breeding tubes were visible. So I bought 2 females and the shop said I could return one of the females and one of the males I already had if necessary.
As soon as the females were put in the tank, the males decided they now had something to fight over and attacked each other. I had to put one of the males in my quarantine tank. The remaining male spent half his time at one end of the tank with one female, then the other half at the other end with the other female.
I bought the females on a Saturday and the following Wednesday he had paired up with one of the females and they were both attacking the other female - which went in the QT with the other male. They went back to the shop the next Saturday.
So it is possible for two males to co-exits as long as they are immature and have nothing to fight over.

But a male and female which have not chosen each other can fight worse than 2 males. The only safe way to buy Bolivian rams (and rams) is to chose a bonded pair from the shop tank, or to buy several fish, allow a pair to form then rehome the rest.



Bolivian rams are very hard to sex. The only 100% sure way is by their breeding tubes.
Indicators include:
The first ray of the dorsal fin is longer in males, and the anal fin is longer and overlaps the caudal peduncle. But immature males will not have these fin extensions.
The underside of a female's body is curved from nose to tail; a male's body is curved at the front half then straight at the tail end. But underfed females have sunken, straight bellies.