Calling All Blue Ram Owners~

[fishwatcher]

I have a pair that I've had for a week now. Just wondering about something. I've noticed that they breathe a bit faster than the other fish (cories, harlequins, rummy-nose). They swim around and eat ok and all, but I didn't know if this normal or if it's a sign of illness. The tank was fully cycled (20-gal) before I added them (used an old filter from another tank and added biospira with some danios), and the water stats are: ammo 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5, ph 6.4, temp 79. Also, they did have eggs a few days ago, but they were all eaten.
Thanks!

 

[furryrabbit]

are they gasping at the surface . is your water being circulated properly

 

[fishwatcher]

no gasping... just breathing fast. The water is being moved by a 20-30gal- rated HOB filter and a bubble-maker, which I turn on about 3 times a day for about an hour each time. (Don't want to make the plants die.)

 

[Alps]

no gasping... just breathing fast. The water is being moved by a 20-30gal- rated HOB filter and a bubble-maker, which I turn on about 3 times a day for about an hour each time. (Don't want to make the plants die.)

are they swimming around a lot?
- what filter do you have and how high is it above the water?
- do they stop breathing hard when you turn the bubbles on?

 

[fishwatcher]

Swimming around great. Not darting or anything, just like normal. The breathing is the same whether the bubbler is on or not. It's not an "oh my God, they can't breathe" kind of breathing, just faster than the others they are in with.

 

[smoothvirus]

I have a pair that I've had for a week now. Just wondering about something. I've noticed that they breathe a bit faster than the other fish (cories, harlequins, rummy-nose). They swim around and eat ok and all, but I didn't know if this normal or if it's a sign of illness. The tank was fully cycled (20-gal) before I added them (used an old filter from another tank and added biospira with some danios), and the water stats are: ammo 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5, ph 6.4, temp 79. Also, they did have eggs a few days ago, but they were all eaten.
Thanks!

I've got four of them and I noticed the same thing. I think that's just what they do. I noticed the rams in all the fish stores I've seen do the same thing.

Rams are a seasonal fish in the wild, they live fast and die hard.

 

[fishwatcher]

What do you mean, they're seasonal fish?

 

[smoothvirus]

What do you mean, they're seasonal fish?

They only live about a year in the wild.

 

[fishwatcher]

Oh, that's sad. I really like them... when they get old and die I guess I'll have to get another pair. I just hope the new pair has such outgoing personalies.