Sexing Rams

[Mettle]

I found this online...

'Blue rams' can be sexed using a variety of characteristics. The males
are generally larger (most prominent in adults), have slightly longer
fins (dorsal) and lack the blue spangles in the black mid-lateral spot
found in the females. Wild fish are very easy to distingush, but the
cultured varieties may be a little harder, assuming both sexes are
present. If I were asked for one reliable difference, I would say the
blue spangles within the black mid-lateral blotch is the best method (it
also works on young fish and the cultured varieties).

How true is that in terms of the blue speckling? Does anyone have experience? Because if it is true then I have a male and a female and don't need any females after all. Which would be fantastic.

Which leads me to my second question... Are the two bound to pair up regardless? Or. Are they going to be fussy and need selection to pair off (like discus)?

Thanks.

[BigDaddy]

The spangles is not a good call.  I have had males without blue in the dot, and females with blue in the dot.

The elongated third dorsal fin is usually the best give away on a male, and the pink, pink belly is the best on the female (although I've had males with a slightly pink belly and females with somewhat larger dorsals).

[Toss]

pink and bigger belly.

[henry]

Hi Stephan
I have 5 adult rams in a 33 gal. I purchased in April this year. They have had multiple batches of fry.
I kept a batch of 33 that is now down to 25 fry (a little over 3 months old) that are between 3/8 and 3/4 of an inch.  They are now just starting to colour up, and to the point were I think I can sex some of them.  The largest ones have paired off and are defending territories. They are still too small for the females to show a breeding pink belly.

Males will have a elongated third dorsal fin.
Adult females will be 2/3's the size of the males.

Females, even the juveniles have distinctive blue spangles "well within" the black mid-lateral blotch. (NOT blue around the edge or just within the black)

I believe that article is correct, but the spangles must be distinctive and well within the black blotch.

Richard

[henry]

The female is on the left ...Male on the right

[Mettle]

I believe I have a pair. But am not completely sure. They so seem to hang around together a lot. I haven't noticed any specific courting behaviour. But there's also no aggression between the two I have so that seems promising.