Ram with a vengence

[kenkht]

Ok, I normally wouldn't even take notice of the Rams (Microgeophagus Ramirezi) when I go to the LFS. I don't read about them and don't even look at them. That is because a lot of them are just not good quality. Worse still..they have the "balloon" strain.. I am no fan of selective breeding / hybrids / etc but that is just me.

Well, that was until I saw these beauties!! I was at the LFS specialising at Apistos, shrimps and various other smaller schooling fishes. As I was walking towards the end of the shop, something caught my eyes. They were vaguely familiar but can't be. So I took a closer look. In that tank was a bunch of the most beautiful Rams I have ever seen. They were labeled "Microgeophagus Ramirezi var balloon" but I don't see the balloon variant I see so many a times in of other LFS.

So, I walked out of the LFS feeling confused! I never wanted Rams before, never took notice of them before and yet I very much wanted these bunch. That night, I went home and took out the pair of A.Aggassizi from my 40g comm tank and put them into my empty 20g. (I meant to do this for some time to give them peace to breed and this seem like a good time! :tongue

The next day I went back to the LFS and got myself 6 of the Rams. They are now happily living in my 40g along with 20 Rasbora maculatas, a pair of Notho. Rachovii Beira and some Parosphromenus. They are eating very well on live worms and swimming all over the tank, not shy at all.


http://www.petfrd.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20640&stc=1&thumb=1

http://www.petfrd.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20639&stc=1

 

[BIG_CICHLID]

Any chance of seeing some pics! Would love to see these Rams, if they caught your eye and you weren't looking for them, they must be really nice! :

BC

 

[Oupsy]

Could you host your pics somewhere we fon t have to register please ??

 

[kenkht]

Any chance of seeing some pics! Would love to see these Rams, if they caught your eye and you weren't looking for them, they must be really nice! :

BC

I would love to post the pics here but I don't see any option of doing so other than linking it to another post....mmm

Try these links:
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=149916&stc=1

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=149917&stc=1

Pictures not too good because I have a crap camera.. sorry

 

[kenkht]

More pics to share:

 

[BIG_CICHLID]

Very Nice

Here is my pair of Rams! 48 hour old eggs and they haven't eaten them yet. This is their second spawn! So, hopefully! I'll get some free swimmers!

BC

 

[kenkht]

Wow, wonderful Rams. Wishing you well in raising those fries when they hatch.

 

[BIG_CICHLID]

Thanks Ken, This is the second time they've spawned. The first time was just 11 days before this second time. They ate the eggs last time. This time, all looks good, we're almost to the 48 hour mark. I nipped home for lunch and noticed them eating/removing the infertile (white) eggs. The others have little black dots in them. Eyes!! VERY COOL! I have a nursery net I will try to remove some from if they hatch out to! It will be hard for them to successfully raise any young in a community setting. But, they seem to spawn very frequently, so! Fingers crossed! I've got the powerhead inlet covered in sponge! So, that won't be a problem! Will keep you posted!

BC

 

[kenkht]

Thanks Ken, This is the second time they've spawned. The first time was just 11 days before this second time. They ate the eggs last time. This time, all looks good, we're almost to the 48 hour mark. I nipped home for lunch and noticed them eating/removing the infertile (white) eggs. The others have little black dots in them. Eyes!! VERY COOL! I have a nursery net I will try to remove some from if they hatch out to! It will be hard for them to successfully raise any young in a community setting. But, they seem to spawn very frequently, so! Fingers crossed! I've got the powerhead inlet covered in sponge! So, that won't be a problem! Will keep you posted!

BC

SO how did it go? Did they hatch? Mine spawned as well but the eggs was eaten as soon as they were laid!

 

[BIG_CICHLID]

SO how did it go? Did they hatch? Mine spawned as well but the eggs was eaten as soon as they were laid!

The eggs got to 48 hours, they ate them and my female died suddenly yesterday??!?!?!?!?!?!


BC

 

[kenkht]

Oh no! Sorry to hear the bad news.

What do you think was the cause of death? Any aggression ? water change? Stress by the male?