Help Diagnosing my dwarfs

**Trillianne** · 12-31-2012, 06:06 PM

Ok so... several months ago I picked up a 3 Electric Blue Rams and an Apistos for my 65 gallon that is mid- heavy planted. (4 months or so)

I have recently lost 2 EBR and have an apisto that does not look like he's doing well, and I'd like to tack down the cause of the issue. In all cases the first sign of issue to death happens very rapidly, usually within 24 hours.

Symptoms Timeline:
Ram #1

Ram looks lethargic,
Hanging out near surface
Coloration appears possibly darker overall (not confined to any particular spot)
NO bloating, appears normal to lean but not undernourished size in the gut (using Ram photos for comparison)

I moved this Ram to a QT tank to observe and possibly treat. Found this ram later that day dead.

Ram #2

Ram looks lethargic,
Hanging out near surface
Coloration appears possibly darker overall (not confined to any particular spot)
Similar belly condition as before

I did a greater than 60% WC, may have been minor improvement in behavior, but fish died within 24 hours. - I did not move this fish to a QT since based on my prior experience I was concerned the stress of the move may have been an issue with the death of the last fish.

Apisto:

Looks lethargic
looks paler
much rounder bellied, but I'd not say bloated

Did ~30% WC. Tested Water (0 ammonia, 0 Nitrite, <5 Nitrate - this is likely due to recent prior WC and the amount of plant growth in my tank. I did run this test twice to verify) The other inhabitants in the tank appear to be eating and behaving normally. Normal poo. I am treating this time with an initial dose of Maracyn 2. Some of the symptoms seems to look like Myxobacteria which is a gram negative bacteria.

Anyone have any other thoughts on what it may be?

**KingFisher** · 12-31-2012, 08:28 PM

What temperature do you keep the tank at and what is the Ph ?

**Trillianne** · 12-31-2012, 09:12 PM

Temp is within 1.5 degrees of 78.

PH I didn't check lately but has been running a steady 7.2 which is a bit high I know, but my store also has higher water

**KingFisher** · 12-31-2012, 09:16 PM

That ph is fine but I've aways had better luck keeping my rams at 82. I've had the same thing happen when my temp wasn't that high. I'm not saying it was the cause but it may have been a contributing factor.

**Trillianne** · 12-31-2012, 09:52 PM

Its certainly something to look at.

Thanks KF

**~firefly~** · 12-31-2012, 10:40 PM

Was it you that had that awful TB outbreak in your tank? Did you get that under control (apologies if I'm mis-remembering this)?

Sounds like a fast killer whatever it is.

**Trillianne** · 12-31-2012, 11:06 PM

It is the same tank, but I was not certain the issue was TB. And these symptoms again.. don't look like that issue.

Since my tear down and redo of that tank... which was back in August... this is my first mystery situation.

**~firefly~** · 01-01-2013, 01:15 PM

My fingers are crossed for you, although I'm sorry I can't provide any suggestions. Let us know how things progress.

**KevinVA** · 01-01-2013, 01:47 PM

Did you notice any aggression between the apisto and rams? My GBRs literally stressed my apistos to death. My tank was heavily planted, with two caves and a nice piece of driftwood, as well.

I know cichlids become much darker, when they're displaying aggression, such as when they're feeding or approached by an intruder. Could be there's one Ram of the three you got, that's stressing everyone out. A bully male. That's what did it in my 75gal. He was chasing everything, until the two Apistos were dead. Then he relaxed.