Blue Ram

[DAB]

Hi Everyone! This is my first post with this forum, and I'm hoping someone can help me. I have a female Blue Ram who became ill after losing her mate. She started swimming "funny" almost as if she were gliding, with her tail down; her coloration would frequently darken; she hid away from the other fish; she stopped eating; and she would back herself into the gravel, rubbing her tail into the gravel, as if to relieve an itch. I put her into a hospital tank. I have treated her with Coppersafe, Maracyn, and Maracyn-Two. Her conditon has vastly improved, and so has her appetite. The only medication that is still in the tank is Coppersafe. I hesitate to take her out of it too soon, in case she did have parasites. What I'm seeing now is a small "growth" of sorts on the right side of her head. It looks to be about 1-2 mm and is dimensional. It has been there for approx. one week, and hasn't gotten any bigger. Also on the same side of her head, in front of her gill, is a small patch of what appears to be sloughed off scales. What do you make of these two things? I was thinking of using Melafix. Is that a good idea? Also, is Melafix safe to use with Coppersafe in her tank? Any and all advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

 

[cichlidmaster]

Hi DAB,

Let's start with the "growth". What does it look like? Is it cottony or fluffy looking? Is it reddish in color? If you could describe it we may be able to get a better idea of what it might be.

The "missing scales" spot I'm not sure of. Did you ever notice her "scratching" this area? If so she may have had gill flukes and scratched so much she tore off a few scales.

It would be great if you could possibly post a pic or two of these areas.

As for coppersafe, althoughit is said to be good for parasites, I personally don't like it. First it does not tell you how long to let it remain in the tank leaving you to "guess"

IMO, I would do a good water change and put some carbon in your filter to remove the coppersafe from the water.

While some tout melafix as being great, I have never really seen any benefits with it. I have used it on some very simple torn fin problems and it (IMO) worked no better than when I would beef up the water changes and add a liquid vitamin to the water.

I guess it would not hurt to use it, but you may be better off getting some Dick Boyd's VitaChem if this is available where your from. This stuff is really great. I keep a gallon of it on hand and use it regularly.

HTH and keep us posted to how your ram is doing.

CM

 

[.:Ming:.]

take all those medics out, rams are very sensitive to water and medics, put some aquarium salt (1 tb per gallon) and raise the temp. to 84 degrees.....trust me.....

ming