bolivian ram on hunger strike

[noodles62]

My male bolivian ram does not seem to be eating. I feed a variety of foods and the female gobbles them up; he just follows her around, watches her eat, picks at the sand (where there is no food!) and does not appear to eat at all. I am starting to get worried about him. She is definately plumper than he is....any advice? :confused:
Thanks!

[Star_Rider]

how long has this been going on?
what are the tank parameters.. tank size. tank mates??

how's the coloration of the fish?

[Cory Keeper]

might need to try garlic in order to get him to eat. deff a cause for concern.

[noodles62]

I have noticed him not eating for a few days now. His coloring is good and my params are normal. I have also noticed a couple white spots on 1 of my angels fins, not like salt (ich) bigger, softer looking spots. This angel eats like a pig tho....I am beginning to wonder if I have a bacterial infection in the tank and this is causing his loss of appetite? He shows no spots but this morning I did notice him flash quickly against the sand 1 time. I am at work now so no further updates til I get home.........

Also, tank is a 45 gallon w/ 2 rams, 2 angels, 6 cories and 1 dwarf gourami...

[Cory Keeper]

I'm guessing ich or some other parasite. Might be a good idea to keep a close eye, and post pictures, let us see whats going on.

[Star_Rider]

any poo??

keep an eye out.

not eating is just one Sx of several problems.
ich is rather easily identified(parasite) but it is external(in most cases).
if you are using as good maint schedule it is not likely bacterial problems will spread. generally a fish with a good healthy immune system, can fend off most problems resulting from bacterial..usually something is out of whack to cause this.
parasites are another issue.

[noodles62]

I am trying to find a good pic online of fin rot to identify what is going on w/ the angel - there was another angel bullying him but it has been gone for a week. it is very hard to get a good pic of him as my camera does not do macro shots well. I do weekly 40% w/c's religously and try not to overfeed, (although to be honest I tend to on occasion)....I will do an additional w/c tonite just to make myself feel better. I am afraid to treat for something I cannot identify! (will watch for the poo too!)

[jm1212]

i had a similar problem with my male bolivian a while back.

i would move him to QT and treat for internal infections.

[noodles62]

i had a similar problem with my male bolivian a while back.

i would move him to QT and treat for internal infections.

How should I treat it? meds/ salt? This is obviously my first time w/ a sick fish! :wall:

[Star_Rider]

you have 2 angels in this tank?

I would suspect you may be missing out on aggression with these two (even happens with breeding pairs) is the angel the only one with frayed fins?

I had a pair of wild angels where the male bullied the female ..I finally moved her out and she is healing in a hosp tank and will move in with another male I have.

watch all the fish..


I would keep an eye out for other Sx too.. clamped fins.. stress coloration(or lack of) etc.

the only issue I have with qt this fish is if there happens to be an internal protozoan parasite(capillaria) found in angels who seem to have built up a tolerance ...

it's a tough call

[noodles62]

The 2 angels are young and no idea on genders; the bigger one is the one w/ fin issues. he does chase the little one from time to time but does not appear to be serious. the little one looks great! I unfortunately am w/out a hosp. tank but will pick one up this weekend. I will most likely need advice on setting it up!

[Star_Rider]

not much to do really set it up stabilize temp and move fish and media from main tank.

what filter do you have? you will need a spare for the hosp tank.

can you get a pic of the fins?
are they frayed..
are you watching the fish with lights turned down.and at various times.. I didn't notice the aggression with my pair for some time..finally the male showed his true colors when it was feeding time..which oddly was the first time I had ever seen this display.

[jm1212]

How should I treat it? meds/ salt? This is obviously my first time w/ a sick fish! :wall:
for this case, you will probably have to treat with meds.

[noodles62]

I will try to get pics of the angels fins. Shall I treat the angel and ram together in a hosp tank or just treat my entire big tank? I have 2 hob's so I could move one to the hosp tank; will most likely keep it bare bottom....
I always watch my fish at feeding time and aggression between the angels is pretty minimal IMO; as for lites out, not sure - I know that when the lights first come on they are schooling together until the bigger one realizes it and chases the litle one away! I am still not sure what to treat for/with............UGH!

[Star_Rider]

if you suspect parasites treat the entire tank.

if bacterial move to hospital tank