How to Identify Male and Female German Blue Rams by Pondguru

[@RichsFishes]

great video! I spent quite a while researching the differences between males and females; and this seems to be the ONLY spot with a comprehensive list of factual information covering the various differences (and the fact that not all the differences are a definitive way to tell).

[@pondguru]

No worries, thanks for watching and appreciating the videos.

[@pondguru]

The video description and video run through all the points needed to identify male / female. Could be breeding behavior if they are a pair.

[@pondguru]

Looks like it will be fine for rams but check the rams wherever you buy them from as the water conditions need to be roughly the same to minimise stress. They are very susceptible to rapid changes in water conditions. Ideally the pH wants to be

[@pondguru]

I have never heard of maroxy but it is used to treat fungus apparently. If you have an air pump it should really be on 24/7. Melafix will cause bubbles to hang around on the surface but I don't know any other treatments which will do that. Too much protein in the water (from flake food) can cause the water surface to thicken (preventing gaseous exchange) then when air bubbles are added they do not pop and remain on the surface for a long time. Keep air pump on 24/7

[@pondguru]

One of the related videos down the right side of this page is called South American Dwarf Cichlids - that explains all.

[@pondguru]

The video response is up, man. Feel free to add as many video responses to my videos as you want, no worries.

[@pondguru]

Since gravel tends to raise pH and harden water, sand is way better for all Amazonian fish including rams. Ideally you would have a pair but they are sometimes kept in groups. I assume you are working in US gallons (approx. 170 litres) so would maybe have 6 with either 3 pairs or 2 males, 4 females. Tetras, danios, rasboras, corydoras and other lower pH fish go well with rams but the gravel may mess up the pH to high for those species to be happy in the tank.

[@pondguru]

I wouldn't mix the species personally but I know some people have kept german blue pair with electric blue pair together in a decent size tank and 30 gal + would be no worries.

[@pondguru]

In the UK its a common name used to seperate the better rams whose colours are close to wild and the 'Asian' blue ram which is more red / orange. I assume that the strain of quality ram was developed in Germany? Not sure though but when we get the 'asian' type in place of the germans we order the colouration is always very poor compared to the 'german' blue rams and we get a credit for them as they just don't sell well and we don't want them.

[@pondguru]

The base area of the tank is the most important thing for dwarf cichlids as they like to keep an area free of fish whilst breeding. Provided the tank isn't one of those tall hexagon tank jobbies or a ball of death (Biorb), I can't see the problem housing them in a 60 litre with a couple of small corydoras also in the bottom of the tank. They prefer sand to gravel.

[@pondguru]

Clamped fins and weak colour is not a good look. There are plenty of places for the fish to hide in your tank so it seems strange. Is there a big difference in pH between the shop stock tank and yours?

[@pondguru]

I personally prefer rams to kribs but the tank is a decent size for either or. The kribs will grow larger than the rams. Kribs are more adaptable to different water conditions but provided you don't have a gravel bottom tank with high pH rams should be fine.

[@sharonevans1608]

Have asked so many aquarium shops how to tell the difference between sexes & usual answer was it's very hard to tell or near impossible with the very young. I wanted blue rams but didn't want to buy 2 & end up with both males so I've put it off for so long. Now, finally someone who knows the difference! I have written all differences down & now am off to find my pair of rams. Thank you so much for all this information, I have learnt more from this than what I have learnt from months of research!

[@pondguru]

No problem. One of the issues many shops (especially chain stores) have is that they stock fish from Asia where the fish are bred and bred until many of the male / female identifying characteristics are gone.

[@sharonevans1608]

I bought a pair of blue rams the same day as my post above & told them how to tell the sex but he wasn't that interested. I bought another female today from another aquarium place and he asked me how I knew which female I wanted! I showed him my notes I took from your video and he was so impressed he added an extra black neon tetra to my order of 6, wasn't expecting that but he was very happy about with the information and I was very happy with my purchases...thank you once again!

[@pondguru]

Sharon Evans No worries, any time.

[@loul.3267]

I know it's harder on the electric blue rams but those the difference can be found on the ventral and dorsal fins. Females generally have a rounded dorsal fin near the tail. Also there is a wider space between the ventral and anal fin on the females as well, so when it does breed that is where it swell and hold the eggs. Males ventral fins usually have longer tendrils that extend all the way back to the anal fin. On the basic blue rams it's the eye spot on its side. The males is solid black with no irridecence or sparkling inside it. Females have the shimmering blue reflective gem coloration around and inside the eye spot. Hope this was helpful for other folks who love these fish as much as me and the fam.

[@pondguru]

If your tank nitrates are 10ppm that wouldn't worry me at all as thats fine. Changing too much water can add nitrates if they are in your tap water and it may also affect the bacteria levels and cock up water quality. For breeding purposes a stable low (6.5ish) pH and no ammonia or nitrite is the way forward for rams and other dwarf cichlids. Don't worry about low levels of nitrates.

[@JustAquarium]

Nice video im sure it would help a lot of people out, I found a hard time telling the difference when I first owned one back in the days.

[@pondguru]

Any of the (in)bred forms are more difficult to sex but elements of the identified differences as mentioned in the video can be used - but its not easy, most people get a group although I'm not sure the balloon version will breed.

[@waynettebrangman7038]

I just missed a massive shipment last week! The lady said the coloration was the best she had seen and only one was left. By your video I believe it's a female as she is narrow and her head is not round. I am picking her up today after work. i will pick up a bag of sand and gradualy adjust from gravel to sand (i.e. scoop out gravel and replace with sand).

[@pondguru]

Sand bottom, bogwood, planted tank with pH around 6.5.

[@pondguru]

No worries, man. Thanks for watching and appreciating the video.

[@pondguru]

It is a reasonable size tank so provided you don't pack too many species into each level of the water it should be fine. I'm not normally a fan of balloon species but we have some yellow head electric blue rams in at sent which are very attractive.

[@pondguru]

No worries, thanks for watching and appreciating.

[@pondguru]

A major problem with the blue rams is the over-bred fish which are coming in from Asia. They are generally not as colourful and are very weak. Sexing them is more difficult but a well bred fish is much easier. Having the lights off in the tank makes a big difference too which I might not have mentioned in the video. Thanks for watching and appreciating the video.

[@pondguru]

What do you mean "DO you sell any fish?" Of couse we do. Tyne Valley Aquatics is a shop. Please read previous comments for differences in EB Ram. There are not many and thats why most people get a group of buy a pair which has formed in the shop tank.

[@nutkha1629]

Best video on this topic I've seen so far! Cheers!!!!

[@pondguru]

Your pH is 6 but what is the pH of the place you're getting them from? They may well be suffering from pH shock is all pollutant levels (ammonia, nitrite) are zero. Sometimes fish which are on their way out can impart all sorts of ailments onto the original fish in the tank causing them to drop too. You need to contact the place you are buying fish from. They will have some sort of guarantee of the fish (we have 48 hours) and check the pH in their tank compared to yours. Big difference not good.

[@pondguru]

I would just video whatever sort of hunting you do as any shooting / hunting videos seem to be very popular. Feel free to link them as video responses to any of my videos no worries.

[@pondguru]

We only supply fish within the UK.

[@pondguru]

Much harder but I tend to be guided by dorsal extended finnage on males and rounder body shape of females. Most people buy a group and hope for the best although recently some have peired off and spawned in out tank so folks have been getting breeding pairs for the same price.

[@pondguru]

Yeah, sometimes it's confusing but when they start to colour up it becomes more apparent. Turning the light off often highlights the colour differences between them very well. Thanks for watching and appreciating the video.

[@pondguru]

Rams don't mind being in a group provided that the tank has enough hiding places and plants for them. Mixing EB rams ans Germans won't affect them and they may even interbreed. I'd go for around 6 in total personally. The full size electric blue rams should be a sight to behold as you will only very rarely see them in shops over 4cm. Full grown fish would cost a heck of alot and bear in mind that the supplier may be selling off ex-breeding stock which has a chance to be very old.

[@pondguru]

Should be no worries, yes.

[@pondguru]

When breeding, yes. As mentioned in the video. For smaller fish some of the other differences may have to be used.

[@waynettebrangman7038]

thank you. very much. what are dwarf cichlids.

[@Mithrin126]

Thanks. I'm in the process of setting up a tank where I'll intend to keep a male and female...will have to watch this a few times to learn to tell the differences between the two gender. Such beautiful fish!

[@pondguru]

I watched 3-4 videos of your fish but the focus was't too good and they looked like asian form of blue ram as they were very yellow. Not sure that was just with the water conditions and bright pink gravel base. Since I souldn't see the spot close enough on the sides of the fish, I couldn't tell for sure but the larger one looks like a female. The dorsal on the smaller one doesn't look like a male dorsal but since the asian form is bred and bred, differences are often bred out.

[@rwx6199]

Does this also go for the German gold rams?

[@Ace.G1]

Nice 👍🏻 can you please tell me what is the right temperature for them??

[@fusionpieri9305]

Thank You, Richard. I think you are terrific. You have helped me in this hobby, so much.

[@pondguru]

No worries - I just wish I got more time for making videos as I love making them.

[@pondguru]

No worries. Thanks for watching.

[@billscorner404]

I hate to be that guy, but your section about the Pectoral fins is actually speaking about the Ventral fins. Pectoral fins are the ones on the side before the gill plate. Ventral fins are the ones on the underside.

[@TieWolf]

Excellent excellent video - this has been by far the BEST and most thorough explanation on sexing GBRs. I'm quite familiar on this stuff already as they're my favorite freshie, but you did excellent in this video on a fish that quite a few people seem to have problems sexing.

[@GroinFaceGroin]

Do you guys carry any other Apistogrammas?

[@waynettebrangman7038]

I have in my 45 gallon tank one bolivian ram and two angel fish (babies about 2 inches tall). The pet shop in bermuda offered me kirbesis to put with them. Should I get them or should I just do an all ram tank. Their next shipment of german blue and gold rams is not until January 2nd, 2013. What's your advice?

[@pondguru]

I would assume so. Its a variety we have not yet had in the shop but the videos I see of them on KZbin would indicate that they look very similar to GBR so should be more easily sexable than the EB ram.

[@oshlavie]

Wonderfully informative and simple. Thank you :)

[@pondguru]

No worries, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@zeroex]

Very nice video! I was wondering though if the same techniques can be used to identify the balloon ram variant of the german blues. Thanks!

[@MikeKollin]

Hello Sir! Ok, I just added 2 German blue Rams 2 days ago. When will their color start to come out? They do seem much more comfortable today. And actually coming up to me where as before they kind of hid in the back. Now they are out in the open, swimming around and friendly & more relaxed / natural...

[@pondguru]

Mike Kollin I assume that they had colour in the shop so assuming water is good for them it should only take 1-3 days for colour to return. If tank is too bright it can have a 'bleaching' effect on rams and they prefer planted or shaded zones. That will often bring out a richer colour in them.

[@MikeKollin]

Yes, I have a lot of plants in there with big leaves... Thanks! :)

[@MikeKollin]

Ok, colors are coming in better today! :)

[@-8_8-]

From what I can tell, this video is an excellent resource. But, many generations of rams have been bred since this video was posted, and by many breeders. Here is what I found in the southern USA to be different from the video. I used a high quality LFS for my rams. The shape of the head is a good tip off if they're all young and no one looks like they're ready to breed. It is very subtle. Obviously the red spot is a good identifier for females. The length of the spines on the dorsal fin is another good one once they've been around long enough to start growing. My males also have more blue on this fin. What doesn't work is black. The black spots of my males and females are tricky. Yes, if you catch the females in the perfect light, you can see blue in the black dot. But the black dot is on a stripe. A stripe which gets covered in blue. So you have blue surrounding the black dots on all 4 fish, but the females have more blue above the spot than the males. Also there is black on the leading edge of the ventral fins of all 4 fish, male and female, so this unfortunately didn't help me. One thing to look for us behavior. Males fight, establish dominance. Occasionally at the cost of a scale. When a male sees a hot piece of ram, he shakes his tail at it. No fight, but he's showing off by flickering all that blue on his tail. Mine are on Petco black(imagitarium? Coated? inert, not actual) sand. One of the males has created a nest by fluttering the sand out of the nest with his tail. So if you see a fish in a basin, probably male. And in my case, the dominant among males. Oddly, my first eggs were inside a log, not on a flat rock. They were also gone the next morning. But they were there, and being guarded. Also, if you're going to tell me not to keep multiple males in the same tank, realize I'm using a 120, not a 20. Medium to heavy planted. Numerous driftwood pieces, a few caves, and a crevice. Also, my pH is on the high side, and carbonate hardness (total alkalinity) is off the chart. So I stuck with GBRs as Bolivian were not available for months. I am also using the Fluval planted 3.0 light. The change in spectrum throughout the day does wonders to show off colors, and the red root floater creates shadows that they move in and out of which also helps.

[@pondguru]

I would have thought it would be the other way round with the female being more rounded fish but without a video to look at I can't tell you for sure. If they are from the far east it is more difficult as they generally don't have much colour on them.

[@waynettebrangman7038]

Does it matter what color the gravel is in the tank for them? Also how many males to females should i put in a 45 gallont ank? what other fish can go with them?

[@pondguru]

You've got a KZbin channel so just upload a video and send me the link, no worries. If you film it with the light off the colours on the fish may stand out better.

[@bm20197]

Very good info mate. good looking rams. Love all your vids...

[@pondguru]

Thats great you have a pair which sound like they are doing well.

[@pondguru]

I will have to Google that one....

[@andym209]

Awesome so glad you showed me going to get two females now can you tell the difference on gold balloon and blue balloons and electric blue rams cheers

[@waynettebrangman7038]

She also said she is getting some electric blue rams in (full size) can i mix them int he tank with the german blue? last week I purchased 9 tetras and 8 ghost shrimp. that's all that's int he tank. how many rams you think I can add as i don't want to over populate the tank. thanks

[@Stefan-ds8em]

Hopefully getting myself a pair in the new year. This has helped a lot identifying each sex, great video!

[@pondguru]

No worries. Its good you know the differences now as most shop staff can't tell the difference, lol

[@waynettebrangman7038]

okay i called the fish store andthey told me put in maroxy and my air stone pump. I did it but now mytank has all these bubbles sitting on top of the water is that okay?

[@TAP6TS]

thank you very much for all the tips....tonight I got 2 babies and they guy said that its male and female....with you tips, I will make sure he gave the right ones;) I wish i was in england and next to your store....oh well, maybe someday when I go, will make sure to stop and make a visit :)

[@pondguru]

I would not have gone for as many pairs personally. Maybe someone is going to loose out in the battle for territory but there is a chance they will be OK provided there is plenty of hiding places and territory for them.

[@pondguru]

We don't try to breed any fish in the shop but most of them seem happy enough with the water conditions to breed.

[@glennfabian]

@pondguru I agree. Its harder to tell the difference for younger Rams. Thanks.

[@pondguru]

Probably around 56,000 if you don't have any water in but in a community tank a group of 5-6 would be sensible. Most people tend to just have a pair in a community tank.

[@TickleMaButt]

I've heard that GBR are extremely delicate fish, is this true?

[@pondguru]

Larger tetra species should be fine (coin shaped tetra) and other dwarf cichlids, loaches, corydoras etc.

[@Mithrin126]

@pondguru talking about armchair experts. What is your stance on minimum size tank for one set of these? This because some say 60 liter is enough others say you should start with 100 liter. Now if it comes to water quality. So far I have been able to maintain a stable aquarium even with just 20 litre in a Fluval Edge so I know I can keep the water quality within certain limits. I'm asking this cuz I'm setting up a tank near my computer and I only have space for a 60 liter tank.

[@pondguru]

May well be, yes.

[@pondguru]

I'd say two males if I had to make a decision on it. Neither of them seem to have the rounder body shape, pink belly or sparkling scales in their black spot which would indicate female. May need a trip back to the shop you bought them from I think.

[@weezy5441]

do the same features apply for balloon rams?

[@pondguru]

They should do, yes - however the further fish get away from the natural 'wild' form the more difficult it is to tell the differences as the sexual identifiers become less pronounced.

[@pondguru]

No worries. I intend doing some more of this type of video as usually the only info like this is found on forums where armchair experts try to outdo each other with how clever they are. Hopefully this will prevent people having to endure looking at that nonsense when searching for information.

[@PrettyboyJunn]

How can u tell the different sex between Bolivian rams I've got a pair that always fight?

[@vahidakhavi1509]

Would u recommend keeping one female ram with pea puffers?

[@pondguru]

I'd never advise keeping any fish which is happier as a pair or trio. Ideally rams like to be in small groups or a trio at the least. Pea puffers should really have a species tank but can live with some medium sized fish (e.g. rams) as long as there is plenty of good environment in the tank. The pea puffers like to be among plants and the rams will prefer to spend most of their time in the bottom 1/3 of the tank among a good structure of caves, plants and almond leaves.

[@larrysmith7791]

Awesome video. I just picked up a few rams. This helps a lot.👍

[@leva9774]

That was very informative, thanks

[@drene4865]

Pondguru Outdoors Mr. Richard Can you make a vid, tips, and ideas for large South american cichlid keeping in the pond

[@alphamassage]

Hi, I love German Rams. I have a 275Lt planted cube with bog wood caves etc. How many Rams would I be able to house peacefully? Thanks.

[@pondguru]

+Lee Leyland It depends on the base size. I always used to reckon on about 30cm x 30cm per pair of dwarf cichlids (including rams)

[@alphamassage]

+Pondguru Outdoors Thank you. It's 65 cm Squared.

[@pondguru]

+Lee Leyland Although I am terrible at maths I can work that one out without a calculator - 4 pairs. They obviously won't stay in their selected zones but if each zone has plants and places to hide they shouldn't get in each others way too much while breeding.

[@alphamassage]

+Pondguru Outdoors Thanks so much for advice. Plenty of hiding places and interupted vision, swim paths. :-)

[@pondguru]

+Lee Leyland Awesome, great to hear.

[@mynewhaircut]

How many rams can you put in a 50 gallon?

[@pondguru]

Any we have had will be in the 'Cichlids less than 10cm' playlist on my channel and whenever you phone the shop on 01661844005 we can advise on what we have in stock at any given time.

[@jessica56786789]

hello! do female rams usually chase male ram? please!

[@lucyholland8686]

I have, what i'm almost certain is a male german blue ram. However, he/she has a pink belly and reflective scales on the dark spot. Is there any way I can show you a picture?

[@pondguru]

Send a picture to [e-mail] if you like.

[@puputtvv]

Is ballon ram also the same ??

[@pondguru]

Balloon varieties and electric blues are much more difficult as they are selectively bred to create those species and lose many of their characteristics associated with differences in males and females of the 'normal' varieties. If those characteristic are present you may be able to tell the difference but with the bred varieties most people would get a group and allow some to pair off to get a pair (or buy a pair which had paired off in the fish store).

[@waynettebrangman7038]

Thank you. So it's been 3 hours since i added the treatment. He is in visible view no but his tail fin is narrowed instead of fanned out. what does that mean?

[@MichaelGarbutt-r8]

Is it the same as electric blue Rams?

[@pondguru]

Electric blues are a bred strain which are all blue.

[@emmanuelgarcia2995]

I still cannot tell the difference is there any way I could take a pic of the two I have and send them to you so that you'll let me know ? Please help :(

[@PrettyboyJunn]

Hi pondguru ive got 2 male and and 2 female germsn blie rams and the two males have fights locking there mouthes together and the males keep chasing the females away is this aggression?:)

[@waynettebrangman7038]

So if he dies I will ust have two angels in this 45 gallon tank! what can I put with them?

[@patcarr3028]

I wished I watch you first ,I bought a tank put the fish in, after 3 weeks they died ,are they shops in Scotland that you supply

[@pondguru]

I no longer have my shop as I closed it early last year. I now sell filter media and associated products from home: www.filterpro.co.uk

[@brettbemefishfanatic8745]

Also, my gold German Rams mated and I have eggs now, but not sure if they'll even hatch looking at the color of them. Any suggestions? Love your videos btw.

[@pondguru]

I think you sent me an email? they look fine.

[@xChxcky]

I have two GBR's and I don't know if there pair the move around together and when I turn the lights off they they stay next to each all night! Please help

[@pondguru]

v_ Squizy If you can get decent pictures or video feel free to send that to [e-mail]

[@Lareefrox]

How to identify the gold fish male or female??????

[@nyamedorpd]

Thank you very helpful and now I know I have a male and female ram and my female does have the bright pink patch 😄😄

[@flemmingj1965]

what temp is your set at in your tank mine is set at 82

[@pondguru]

Not sure what that is in C but ours is around 27 Celcius so approx. the same?

[@PrettyboyJunn]

Hi pondguru i was just asking ive got two rams but i dont no what sex they are and one keeps chasing the other but sometimes they circle eachother and move there bodys in to each other and start wiggling, the won with the more pointed head keeps chasing the won with a round head but i dont no the gender, is this a aggressive sine :)

[@pondguru]

I believe this particular strain was first bred in Germany.

[@emmanuelgarcia2995]

And could I possibly order a pair of male and female German blue rams from your store ? I'm located in Las Vegas, Nv

[@JANitor579]

Very Nice Video!! Your fish are so healthy! :)

[@mynewhaircut]

Yeah right now I have a German ram and Bolivian ram I love them. I have heard some say they some times don't get along if there is to many not sure how true that is.so I wanted to maybe get 2 balloon rams

[@Mithrin126]

@pondguru thanks. Will go for it then. I was going to get some corydoras anyway so yeah I need to have at least a good patch of sand. Going to have to think about how to create an unresistable spot in the aquarium that they will claim as their territory. Thanks again!

[@pondguru]

We used to get fish from Singapore as they are much cheaper but the quality of many species is far from good enough so now we get them from European suppliers.

[@callenclarke371]

Excellent content.