pairing and breeding bolivian ram

[Alberich]

Hello,

I have been trying to get a pair of bolivian ram for 3 weeks.
I have a 30 gallons with Cardinalis, corydoras and ancistrus. I got 5 bolivian ram 3 weeks ago. I want a pair to get formed, and then, I will give the 3 other rams to someone else.

I know that I have 1 female (I can clearly see the breeding tube) and maybe 2 male. I have pretty no Idea about the sex of the last 2.

When will I know that I have a pair ? Do I have to wait for them to breed to get sure that I have a pair or their behavior can tell me ? By the way, do bolivian rams pair as german rams do ?
Can it last long to get the pair (My rams are about 6 cm long, are very colorful and do intimidation to one another) ?
Is there something to do to induce breeding ?

Sorry for all these question (and for my poor english), and thank you in advance !!!

 

[tjudy]

Sometimes the most important factor in getting a pair to form is patience. If you have only had them for three weeks I suspect that they are not comfortable enough yet. M. altispinosa are sexually dimorphic enough to sex when they are adults. How large are the fish? If they are under 2" I think that they may be too young.

Good food, good water and time. That is all it really takes.

 

[mooman]

based on my experience (limited) and research, bolivian rams take much longer to reach sexual maturity than blue rams. I had a male female pair that were full sized (3-4 in) for four months and saw no sign of spawning.