Darkening Blue Ram? Less Dominant Or Illness?

[aibo210]

Hi

I have 2 male blue rams now discovered in my previous thread http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/325153-rams-male-and-female-or-2-males/.

Now the male thats being chased is darkening its grey markings to deep black hes now got a black stripe from head to tale this a normal marking?

The other male is displaying his fins all the time and colours and gaurds his food with his life!

This normal for cichlids? its funny to watch but I cant re home the less dominant but hes showing NO outward signs of illness!

Any ideas?

 

[minxfishy]

The black lines are stress markings, whilst he may not be ill, he is stressed due to the aggression/chasing from the other male.

If it doesnt subside, try doing a tank rescape, bag the rams (seperately), change the tank decor, plants etc, create more hiding areas, then release the less dominant ram 1st allow him to settle for an hour or so, then release the dominant ram, sometimes this can work, others it doesnt, if the harrassment doesnt stop, eventually the stressed one will die.