What's wrong with my female ram?

[stingray4540]

I have a female ram that just got done with her second spawn. I've had her for a couple months maybe. She has lost all her blue color on the back of her body, and now its a dark color. She is staying close to the ground and not moving around much and it seems like she is breathing fast/heavy. The male seems fine. I haven't changed anything recently. Twice a week water changes. The only thing I can think of is that for the first time last week I only did one water change, but could that have really done any harm? Especially since only one fish seems to be affected? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I know EMG has a experience with rams, Have you ever had any problems like this before?

 

[Emg]

I would say that something is stressing her out. I have had one of my females do that for a period of time..and then come out of it and be fine. Is the male giving her a hard time at all ? I have one pair that carry on a "love/hate" relationship. Always quarreling and spatting from time to time...but get along just fine enough to spawn regularly. Sometimes one or the other one gets that dark coloring for a bit...but it doesn't last long.

My other pair get along FANTASTICALLY !! I NEVER seem them arguing...lol...really nice couple those two..they make nice babies too...

Try feeding her up on some good live or frozen foods and see if that helps. Keep an eye on the parameters and do your regular water changes. Be sure there is a place for her to get away and hide when she wants to. How big is the tank again ?

 

[stingray4540]

It's a 29 gallon, And has a few places to hide, but she doesn't seem to be interested in hiding, she just hangs out on the bottom in kind of random places. She is really dark all over. The male is kind of following her around like he's woried about her, he will nudge her every once in awhile but not peck at her, which is kinda weird, cause he usually chases and nips at her. I hope she bounces back like yours do, I don't know what could have stressed her all of a sudden. Thanks, EMG that gives me some hope, I wish my pair was as "nice a couple" as yours lol.

 

[Emg]

It does sound like somethings wrong Ray.....is there a way that you can isolate her....a decent sized hangon tank ? When I have a fish that behaves like that I use a hangon tank with an airstone (set near the top of the waterline so the current isn't as bad) I don't usually use meds unless I have an obvious isssue that requires it. Meds can be very hard on the fish and cause more stress than they need. IMO its a good idea to move sick fish into something where you have more control over water conditions and feeding.

I do water changes on the hang-ons every day, sometimes twice depending on the issue. It doesn't cause overdo stress on them because I syphon it out with an airline and then slowly refill it with fresh heated changewater. I will also feed them up on good live/frozen food with vitamins added. I keep my blackworms in vitamin supplimented water.

Some will say that moving them to an isolation tank just causes more stress and makes them even sicker...I haven't found that to be the case...at least in my experience so far. Putting some type of plant in with them helps them to feel like they have something to hide in. I usually toss in some floating water sprite (I have GOBS of that stuff everywhere...lol)

Rams are pretty sensitive though.....with them I find that when they show signs like that it's only a matter of time before they give it up. But it surely is worth trying to pull them out of it.

Best of luck Ray !

 

[stingray4540]

Thanks for the advice emg, but unfortunately I woke up this morning to find her dead. :sad: She was one of my favorite fish. I wish I at least knew what went wrong. The male is still fine as well as everyone else, and like I said, my rutine hasn't changed at all. Oh well, **** happens I guess (pardon my language). I think I might replace her with a cockatoo cichlid. What do you think? I love the rams, but I don't like how much the pick on my one gourami when they lay eggs. Not to mention the fact that good european ram stock is hard to come by around here. Well, Thanks for the advice anyway emg I really appreciate it.
P.S. Happy birthday! :bday:

 

[Emg]

Thanks Ray !

Sorry about the ram......if you find some good european stock...it'd be worth picking some up !