"Balloon Belly" Blue Rams???

[FishBliss]

I have kept Bolivian Rams for about 2 and a half years -- nevah hoid-da "balloon belly" rams.....

They did have round little bodies, to be sure, and they were quite cute, shaped kinda like a fancy goldfish in a Ram suit....but I'm totally suspicious....

Is there really such a thing or were these somehow deformed or unnatural?

[Piranha86]

They're commonly called an angel ram. They have a genetically passed spine deformity, much like a balloon molly. They are prone to swim bladder disorders.

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't call it a deformity as much as exclusive breeding.

[Piranha86]

In Asia, (Thailand?) they were breeding them and a few turned up with a batch of them with a spine deformity. These were bred back until there was tons of them. Either way, they're not very healthy. I would feed them shelled peas along with their regular foodd, that helps prevent swim bladder disease.

[FishBliss]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I'm always suspicious of the LFS and what they choose to stock and sell.

I wouldn't buy any. A long time ago I learned (the hard way) to avoid the cute fish with the round tummies. Nothing but trouble for you and for themselves. I was alarmed that there was a round ram.

[Taysius]

Balloon fish are something I would never buy.

[mugzy]

to each, their own!

[Piranha86]

I think the true market for balloons, painteds, and whatever else, is for 5 year olds who want their pretty pink fish in a 6x6x6 tank (<1g) and live for a long time(2 weeks). It makes me sick.