My German Blue rams

[ippielb]

First time i've ever seen German Blue rams in my city, there was two, so i snatched them up!

Here's pictures.

Ram #1:(i think this ones female)
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Ram #2:(I hope this ones male)
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[rich311k]

First is a female. I cannot tell on the second fish. Good luck with them.

[ippielb]

They're still getting use to their new home, They're very small, still less or around an inch max. When the other one comes out i will try and get a picture. It's similar to the first one, but larger, and not as brightly coloured. I've only had them since Sunday(2 days), so i expect them to get only brighter. I've had some success with getting them to eat blood worms. But only if they are literally floating infront of their mouth.

Thank you for the encouragment.

[ippielb]

Well, from after i took that picture of the female ram, to 10 minutes later, i don't know how, but it died. Checked the water again, and it's 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 10 nitrate. Was the nitrate the cause of the death? The other one seems to be doing good. I watched it die to, it was swimming then it just started sinking and falling on its side, then it tried to swim back up and then basically like it had no energy to do any of this. I'm disappointed.

[rich311k]

How did you acclimate it? Rams can be very sensative? What temperature is the water?

[MChambers]

As rich311lk says, they are very sensitive. I had one die yesterday, and have absolutely no idea why it died. I'd had it several months, and it seemed to be getting more and more colorful. Came home last night and found it dead. 80F temperature, and very clean water (nitrates were at 10 Monday night).

[Spardas]

Aside from them being sensitive fishes, I think you received bad stock. The first two photos clearly show that the fish is very stressed. The pectoral fin is damaged. Breathing seems to be labored and healthy rams shouldn't be gliding down on the gravel like that.

How exactly did you acclimate?

Also, did you ask the store when they received it and from what source and how long they have kept it in there?

[ippielb]

I drip acclimated it, and floated the container in the aquarium to adjust the water temperature, i acclimated it for an hour. I did not ask the store any questions. Water temperature has been a steady 79*F-80*F for the entire time. I did notice the fin being damaged when i was taking those pictures. I went back to the store today, and they said they had another fellow who brought back 5 out of his 6 that he bought. So i'm thinking it was bad stock, and transportation. The other ram i have seems to be doing well. Will keep you posted, kind of discouraging because i took a lot of effort to make this work. But i guess that's the hobby, some times you can't do anything. Just hope for the best. And i hope i don't have that problem again!

[Excellence]

Sorry to hear it! I want to buy a mating couple too once my tank has aged enough. Heared they were sensitive fish.