help - golden ram acting strange

[shetlandpaul]

New to this but hope someone can help.:help:

I've a 200ltr corner community tank with a selection of fish. I've 2 golden rams, male and female. They have been in the tank for about a month with no probs, have taken over an archway in the back of the tank. Over the last few days the male has been acting strange. Sittin on the gravel amoungst the plants and breathing slightly fast. However when the other fish come near he starts to move normally. There are 4 tiger barbs(which have been in take same time and dont bother the rams) 4 shubuki barbs(please excuse the spelling) a cory. More recently i've added 4 platys and 8 guppies.

I might be worrying 4 no reason but my last two tries with rams a couple of years back were brief affairs.

Have tested the tank and readings seem ok and the tank temp is 82, my filter system is an external rena xp2.

Any suggestions gratefully recieved.

regards

paul

 

[Hooked Newbie]

How are you testing and what are the actual numbers? How long ago were the platies and guppies added?

 

[gmh]

I hope he is OK. Do you test for nitrates? These guys are easiy stressed by poor water conditions.

 

[shetlandpaul]

testin with aqua test strips. ph = 6.4 - nitrate (N03)=0 - nitrite(NO2)<6o d
platies and guppies been in a week

 

[grannylvsfish]

do a 50% water change and check again. my rams got stressed if I did not do a good water change once a week. he is 3 years old but really .... weater changes perk them up well. quick breathing is not a good sign. do a good water change and then he may just perk right up.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

testin with aqua test strips. ph = 6.4 - nitrate (N03)=0 - nitrite(NO2)<6o d
platies and guppies been in a week

Test strips are notoriously inaccurate. I'd suggest getting a good liquid test kit that includes ammonia as well as what you are testing for now. I suspect a mini-cycle, the best thing you can do for now are large water changes and continue them anytime Ammonia or Nitrite are .25 or higher.

 

[shetlandpaul]

Thanks 4 the quick replies, will change water asap and buy a better tester kit. The tank set up is fairly new and this is my first time with an external filter so its a bit of trial and error. thanks again 4 all the help

 

[DavidZ]

Water changes 50% plus. If you have a more agressive fish in the tank rams might have a problem.
How to you know which is a male and female out of your gold rams?
How big are they?