Normally I either refer to them by the name I have assigned them or the word Tama. I have recieved many questionable looks from nearby people becuase I will say things on the phone like, "Oh Akai is probably hungry... he's crying out in my pocket."
It`s nice that you love the ichigotchi but perhaps you can put that in your signature and post your answer to the TOPIC. not to be mean or anything just real and factly and rule based ^^