comforting a Gold Ram

[tear-scar]

I've had my ram in the SA tank for about 3 weeks, but I noticed that recently he's been more stressed out. It always seemed like the other fish pushed him around too much. He's still small, a little under 2 inch from head to tail.

It's not the other fish were aggressive to him, just that they were too over-active, and in feeding time the hatchets, and too a greater extent the serpaes, always had their way with the food.

Does that sound like a common ram problem?

Anyway, I quickly moved him to the 5 gallon. Things are much quieter there; the lighting is dim and the only other fish are the very small, usually docile ember tetras. As you can see there's lots of shade and hiding places so I hope he'll be feeling better.

Any ideas on what I can do to make him feel better?

 

[digital_run]

I am be wrong and if i am sorry...but i think a 5 gal is to small for a ram ....maybe temporary but i dont think thats a long term solution .

 

[tear-scar]

no, you're right. However, he's still a small ram. If he can become healthy and strong, he will eventually reach his adult size of 3.5 inches. Once that happens, I doubt any tetra could push him around. I will then return him to the twenty gallon.

As for right now, anyone can suggest anything that will help him recover now?

 

[ramesses]

I agree with the lack of space in a 5 gallon.The first thing I would ask is if you have the right water conditions for a ram.If not having it in a 5 gallons is going to make it worse.
The behaviour seems to indicate so,however,it could be that it feels lonely,donno.My rams are some of the most active fish I keep in my amazonic and some of the first to go up at chow time.

 

[Ben]

i think you should get more rams or anutha gold ram to make it feel comfortable wih its own species.

 

[Doggfather]

I think you should leave him by himself, you wouldn't want to overcrowd a small tank and make him get worse.

Just offer him good quality food, give him the right water conditions and he'll be fine in no time

 

[Ben]

i think u misunderstood dogg

i ment get another friend for him in the 20 gal. mine sorta schools with my blue rams who school with my bolivians, so i think u should get him anutha ram friend for the 20 gal.

 

[Doggfather]

Isn't he asking for suggestions on what he should do to keep his ram happy in the 5 gallon tank?

 

[Ben]

Isn't he asking for suggestions on what he should do to keep his ram happy in the 5 gallon tank?

nooe doesnt say, just asks if what will make him feel better.

 

[Doggfather]

Anyway, I quickly moved him to the 5 gallon. Things are much quieter there; the lighting is dim and the only other fish are the very small, usually docile ember tetras. As you can see there's lots of shade and hiding places so I hope he'll be feeling better.

Any ideas on what I can do to make him feel better?

Read the above --->

 

[Ben]

ye btu when he said any suggestions to make him feel better its not diected at him being better in the 5 gal. just to make him better.

 

[parker313]

If you have the means, getting a 10g for a pair of rams might be the best bet. As for the 5, he's OK for now, but really might be lonely, they do better in 2s or in small groups. If you're willing to go the 10g route, maybe try moving the ram back to the 20 with a mate. Then, if that doesn't work, just move the pair to the 10. I have mine in a 10g with 5 neon tetras and it's working really well.

 

[ramesses]

Parker,you're becoming quite an expert on rams .I agree with everything you have to say.I would move it back to the 20 and add a friend.
By the way Parker.......I am glad everything is working out with your ramirezis

 

[tear-scar]

Well, sadly, right now the rams from my ram's tank group were all sold. The newer shipment though is being treated right now for a disease (I didn't ask them what disease because I wasn't planning on buying another ram).

Anyway, rams schooling? I thought they were territorial with their own species. Also, even if the rams at the shop were not sick, that still leaves the problem for me of sexing, which is a difficult process with rams, right?

 

[tear-scar]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I did some water changes, finished furnishing the 5 gallon with more plants, and treated the ram to some brine shrimp. He's doing much better now! Flaring his fins and strutting about the tank.