Jim Anderson wrote:
In article , eetmail-
says...

Jim Anderson wrote:

I live in Minnesota, USA, and for as long as I can remember all the Blue
Rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) have been the 'German Blue Rams' from the
stock of German breeders that had bread a more colorfull (?) strain.
They are torpedo shaped, about 1/2 as high as they are long, with a flat
back and stomach.

Today at the local PetCo they have a tankfull of Blue Rams that were
much, much more rounded (Discus proportions), about one inch long and
about 7/8 inch high and very colorfull with tall fins and chubby
looking. These are not German Blue Rams.

Thinking of getting a pair for a new planted 30USGal, in the planning
stages.

Can anyone comment on these observations.

Sounds like an angel or ballon ram. Or possibly hi-fin rams - I've only
seen those once. They're all selectively bred for the different body
shape, like fancy goldfish. For the most part, in the LFS where I
worked we had more trouble with the fancy rams than those with the
wild-type body shape like golds or German blues. It seems that
tinkering with the genetics of an already sensitive fish causes trouble.

BTW, you're a brave soul if you're considering buying any sort of ram at
PetCo!



Thanks Elaine-
I've heard of Balloon Rams, never seen one. I have a nice PetCo, the new
fish manager does a very good job with the care of his charges, really
turned his shop around for the better. They were losing their shirt
killing all the sal****er fish, so they hired someone more quallified I
guess. I was hardware shopping and just happened to notice the Rams.

Nice to hear that one of the chains has its act together!

If all the fish in the PetCo tank are healthy and you really like the
unusual look of the fish, you might give them a try. A lightly stocked
30 gal planted tank is certainly a good way to go for rams. Just don't
get discouraged if the balloon rams don't work out.

--
__ Elaine T __
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