Blue Ram STILL has not colored up.

rsanz

rsanz

The Peacock Gudgeon Guy
Aug 22, 2006
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The Ram is a female. I got her over a month and a half ago. She is about 1.5-1.75 inches long. The tank params are:

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: < 10 ppm
pH: 7.5
Temp.: 82 deg. F

I used to feed the community flakes with frozen blood worms every 3rd day. This week, I have been feeding blood worms every day. I am concerned. I got her from drsfostersmith.com. Now, after I ordered, I found out that their Rams come from Thailand, where I know the Rams are injected with hormones to give the fish a color boost.

I've heard that it is normal for hormone-injected rams to lose color soon after purchase, but aren't they supposed to color back up after a certain period of time?

I also know that Rams color up with age, but I have a feeling that she shouldn't be white anymore at this point. I mean, her black stripes and black dot are there. They fade sometimes, but are there most of the time.

I mean, she acts perfectly normal. Eats vigorously. She even harassed and killed/ate some blue mystery snails that I tried to add to the tank.

I wanted to see if any of you knew what was going on? Is there something wrong with the water? Diet? Tankmates (stocking is in my signature)? I'd really like her to color up, moreso so that I know she is happy and healthy in there.

Thanks!
 
single ram?

could be part of the problem.

I have bolivians..but they color up nicely
I like the colorbits for them..and they love those.
 
Give her time. I don't believe they are 'injected' with hormones, it that the hormones are added to their tank water.

Anyway, it will take longer if she is having to start from scratch hormone wise. Is she 'stressed'? Or, is she swimming around and totally comfortable? If the later, be patient. If the tank is large enough, you could add another ram after QTing them.

Also, depending on the others in the tank, you might bump up the temps a bit. My guess is that time is the answer though. Oh, spirolina is supposed to bring out the blue, so you might add some spirolina enhanced frozen brine shrimp to her diet.

Cathy
 
Spriolina? Alright, I'll take a look next time I'm at the LFS.

I don't think the Cardinals would mind a higher temp., but I don't know about the Dwarf Gourami. Can he take a temp. of 84?

I made this post BECAUSE of time. It's been almost 2 months now. Do I need to wait longer?
 
2ManyHobbies said:
I am thinking she is lonely. I bet if you get her a friend she would color up very fast.
Click to expand...
Really? Does that happen? Maybe I should move the gourami and get her a male mate?
 
you need to give it more veggies for the color to come out, cucumbers, peas, spirulna, feed twice a day, first with a good quality cichlid flake with color enhancers, then feed vegetables for 4 days a week and meat for 3 days a week with the flake food every day for breakfast.

81-82 degrees is fine, dont need to raise anymore, plants may bring some color out
 
musho3210 said:
you need to give it more veggies for the color to come out, cucumbers, peas, spirulna, feed twice a day, first with a good quality cichlid flake with color enhancers, then feed vegetables for 4 days a week and meat for 3 days a week with the flake food every day for breakfast.

81-82 degrees is fine, dont need to raise anymore, plants may bring some color out
Click to expand...
Really? I've heard otherwise. I've always read that meaty food bring out the Ram's colors.
 
rams do require protein in their diets.

it may still be young.

I'bd be wiling to bet adding a male to the tank will help the color too...LOL
 
I do think you will have to move the gourami, they don't do very well for long at those high temps. Rams are from savanna areas, there water is hot. Minimum 82, but really 84-86 would be better.
Cathy
 
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