ELECTRIC BLUE RAMS COMING HOME!! :)

YAAAAY!!! Thank you williemcd!! I'm finally getting a pair of EBR's today...SO SUPER EXCITED!! As most of you know.....my expertise lies primarily in Angels as they are my first love! So this is a new adventure for me! If any of you have personal experience in keeping/raising these little Apisto's please offer up your secrets to success! I'll post pics later...after they get acclimated!
Please wish me luck...and wish me a "male & female pair" on this first try!! LOL

Doxiemom wrote:YAAAAY!!! Thank you williemcd!! I'm finally getting a pair of EBR's today...SO SUPER EXCITED!! As most of you know.....my expertise lies primarily in Angels as they are my first love!  So this is a new adventure for me! If any of you have personal experience in keeping/raising these little Apisto's please offer up your secrets to success! I'll post pics later...after they get acclimated!
Please wish me luck...and wish me a "male & female pair" on this first try!! LOL

The technically aren't apistos.  They are open water spawners like angels, so rearing any fry you get should be pretty similar.  

For experienced breeders, rams are fairly easy to sex.  The guy who put them in the auction knows his stuff.  He breeds angels, rams and Corydoras.  I think he is on a well with soft water, so the fish should be use to typical richmond area water conditions.

Verbal....."technically"?? Based on...? I really am new to this and was under the impression they are of that family...you say NOT?
And thanks for the feedback about the breeder! Always nice to hear GOOD things about your source of stock! My pair is great...eating and coloring back up from the trip home! They will be in QT for the next 30 days but then will get a permanent tank to themselves then.

Jess.. ya nailed it.. BUT failed to supply the distinction! LOL... the rams are from: Mikrogeophagus ramirezi   But... in defense?  Like 20 or more years ago, apisto's and rams were originally classified in the same category......
Bill 

I'm starting to get the idea rams are the middle ground between "big fish" and "little fish"

Kat....Your post actually caused a real LOL...<grin>... driving back from the PVAS auction, I shared with Ira an observation that until just now I was reluctant to share... for reasons I need not go into....
During the auction, pairs of Rams and their associated pricing exceeded EVERY GROUP of Angel fish that went on the block.  Even Dox, a dedicated Angel addict of decades went for a pair of Rams for her first foray into the genre...  ME?  I've been a fan of them since I first stumbled upon them about 4 years ago... 
As far as the middle ground?.. My biggest male breeder (Bolivian RAM) is MAYBE approaching 2.75 inches... his mate.. just about 2"... AND.. they are the most docile fish next to the Discus.... 
I know I'll come to regret this post in the future as I've shared what I think is the next "must have" fish in the fish-keeping community... Bill

I've been eyeing german blue rams now, and love the look of dario dario (think that's right) not sure if those are even rams!

So far......LOVING these little guys!! They have already discovered the cave I supplied. Still shy but I've witnessed them swimming around checking out the new DIGS. Eating well, colors are MAGNIFICENT!!