Blue Ram Deformed

[adam_g2000]

Hi All,

Thanks for your help in advance, I've searched, but not found anything that answers my question.

I am a newbie, who has just purchased a couple of Blue Rams. A male and a female. The female looks a little different to the male and other females I've found pictures of. Her body is a little concave around the gills, which have visible red behind then (completely unlike the male, who is flush from tip to tail). Her eyes are also not level, and her mouth lopsided. Both fish seem to breathe very fast.

Is this normal?


I've tested the PH, which is about 6, Ammonia and Nitrite are 0, with about 40 Nitrate. Due to the nitrate being high, I've changed water bi-weekly since I put them in the tank.

Any help from a pro would be well appreciated.

Adam.

 

[thefirethief]

Im far from a pro but from your description of the females body she sounds emaciated. This happens when the fish isn't eating enough, either through stress or an internal bacterial infection (or both). When I had this problem with one of my apistos I treated him for the bacterial infection and within a few days he was eating well. As for the fishes face.... sounds like it coudl be a permanent disfigurement. Whether that has any negative effects on the fishes health I dont know.

Id wait for another opinion, for I am thick!

 

[smoothvirus]

Both fish seem to breathe very fast.

My rams all breathe very fast, adults, fry, juvies. Every ram I've ever seen breathe fast. I think it's just something they do.

 

[Kevstir]

you didnt buy them from pets at home did you?? every blue ram iv seen in my local lets at home looks like what you have described , not healthy looking at all ..