Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-19-2004 01:28 PM         

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So, I went and picked up my rams today and they were still under the same tag that just said "Assorted ram cichlids", I asked the guy what kind they were and he said they were called balloon rams and were pretty rare. I can't find any info for a balloon ram so here's a photo and maybe some one out there knows a different name. Thanks,

Tina

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Member

Posts: 183
From:austin,tx, usa
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 03-19-2004 01:46 PM         

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isn't that a bolivian ram? I want one!
that's a really pretty fish.

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Member

Posts: 21
From:BC, Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-19-2004 02:08 PM         

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Tina1, that would be a blue ram, or the common name I use, German ram, Mikrogeophagus ramirezi,
Bolivian rams, Microgeophagus altispinosa, or as the lfs here labels them, crown ruby's, are identical in shape and size, but they arent as colorful and bright http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/microgeophagus_altispinosa.php

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-19-2004 02:23 PM         

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Thank you for the link Oddfisharebest. However, my rams don't look anything like the rams in the picture on the website. I was rather hoping they were bolivian as they sound like they're easier to care for.

And yes Dianenm, they are pretty! I came across a photo of some Bolivians a few months back and was upset that no one in my area carried them. Then I happened to be in the pet store looking for some fry food and there was a whole tank full!!! I thought I was in fish heaven!

So, I guess I need a tie breaking opinion: What does everyone else think: Bolivian or German?

Thanks again,

Tina

[This message has been edited by tina1 (edited 03-19-2004).]

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Posts: 122
From:orangeville,ontario, canada
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-19-2004 03:10 PM         

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hey tina it is a german blue ram http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/3212/ http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gram.html
here is a couple links for them one is
Good luck with you new fish
Peace fish Addict

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take a look at my aquarium http://www.geocities.com/mightyone_5/

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-19-2004 03:24 PM         

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Hmmm..... I just noticed that the one ram that is paler than the others doesn't seem to have the long fins underneath it's belly like the others do. You can see these fins in the photo, they are "outlined" in a bright blue. This one fish doesn't seem to have them at all, they don't look torn off or anything. But, he is picked on more often than any other and he has a paler color. Any ideas why he doesn't have these long fins, maybe it's a she?

[This message has been edited by tina1 (edited 03-19-2004).]

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Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-19-2004 04:56 PM         

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Here's a better photo of the fins I'm talking about. They hang straight down underneath the head near the abdomen. Sorry I don't know all the scientific fin names.

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Posts: 21
From:BC, Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-19-2004 10:49 PM         

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the lfs told you they were ballon rams, that could be, I havent seen anything about ballon rams and havent seen them before, until today, I went on a road trip to another city, and they had some ballon rams at their lfs, ballon rams appear to just be dwarf bolivian or german rams, I dont know anything on them, except they look like a cross between either ram and a ballon molly:P

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Posts: 28
From:Courtenay, BC, Canada
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-19-2004 10:49 PM         

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definitly a blue german ram. oddfisharebest has the same ones. cute little guys!

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Posts: 255
From:Courtenay, B.C, Canada!
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-20-2004 04:06 PM         

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yeah they look like the ballon rams!! very cool

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