German Blue Ram with white spots?

**Drew's_Fish_99** · 11-22-2013, 03:52 AM

I just bought my first 2 GBR 4 days ago, and my male seems to have white 2 white spots on his left side. I think it's a bacterial infection maybe. How do they develop these and will it go away on it's own? I know you can buy stuff for it but I'm not sure I want to or not. At times he's just sitting there breathing heavy and other he is swimming and eating like normal. Please help! I really like his coloring and don't want to lose him.

**Drew's_Fish_99** · 11-22-2013, 03:53 AM

IMG_0607.JPG Here's a pic btw.

**Drew's_Fish_99** · 11-22-2013, 04:50 AM

Sadly, he's passed. It happened so fast even if the pet store was open, he would've been gone by the time I got back. Is their anyway to prevent this from happening again? And how does this come along? I loved his color and behavior! Getting another one like him is going to be very unlikely... I'm going to bed depressed tonight.....

**mommy1** · 11-22-2013, 05:23 AM

That might be columnaris. The best way to avoid it is to keep the tank water as clean, and the environment as stress free as possible. It is treated with gram negative antibiotics. I would guess your fish came from the store with the infection. Without treatment the fish usually die pretty quick.
Here is some information about columnaris.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...is_disease.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columnaris

**Drew's_Fish_99** · 11-22-2013, 05:31 AM

Thanks! I have to work early tomorrow so I'll read on that tomorrow. He's only been in there a few days maybe. He seemed very happy, had great color, swam around like he loved it. I didn't notice any spots until tonight either. My aquarium is very clean and water is good. All the other fish in there are pretty gentle and stress free. I'm guessing it came from the store. Do you suggest just picking up another one sometime soon?

**mommy1** · 11-22-2013, 05:36 AM

It probably had the infection in the store but didn't show signs until the stress of the move. I wouldn't get any from that store until you are certain their tanks and fish are healthy. Columnaris hits fast and can wipe out a tank if not treated quickly. For now I would watch the rest of your fish closely and make sure this was an isolated case.