Electric Blue Ram - Fungus

[andyg81]

Came home tonight to find one of my blue rams with what looks like white fungus growths on its gills .... Help. How can I treat it ? I got a king British white spot treatment and can segregate it but how can I treat the rest of the tank ?
Can't get a clear pic but see below

Also ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 20-30

 

[andyg81]

Well I've done a 75% water change treated with long British white spot treatment and hoping for the best

 

[nmonks]

eHSa 2000 is my fungus treatment of choice. It's very effective, inexpensive, and relatively non-toxic; it also happens to treat Finrot too.

Let me also direct you to my comments on Ram Cichlids, here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/401801-rams-and-corys/page__view__findpost__p__3381756

This species is very sickly if not kept in very warm, very soft, very acidic, and very nitrate-free water. A good motto with Ram Cichlids is this: "If you're keeping them in a community tank, you're almost certainly keeping them wrong".

Cheers, Neale

 

[andyg81]

Had my rams for about 4 month with no problems I've had a recent snail infestation and was planning a full tank strip down and replace substrate in a week or so.

 

[nmonks]

Sort of my point. Four months and you're dealing with fungus. Ram Cichlids are very difficult to maintain. Read around, and if you must keep them with other fish, choose ones that need soft, acidic, very warm water.

Lifespan in hard water is minimal. I'm sure a few get past a year in hard water, but most don't. Bacterial infections (especially Mycobacteria) are common, as are Hexamita infections of the gut. These may be more common because in cool water (anything below 28 C) their immune systems are running at "half speed".

Cheers, Neale

Had my rams for about 4 month with no problems...

 

[Livewire88]

Had my rams for about 4 month with no problems I've had a recent snail infestation and was planning a full tank strip down and replace substrate in a week or so.

So Fungus is not a problem?? No offence but it is likely you are keeping you EBR's in the wrong conditions.

I also learnt this the hard way when I first set up my tank, I had 2 EBR's that lasted about 6 months before they both died. They are very delicate fish which will not survive very long if kept in the wrong conditions.

Nmonks knows what he is talking about so I would take his advice onboard

All the best

 

[andyg81]

Meant no problems till now ...... This is one downside to this forum when you post asking for help people shoot you down in flames because "they" think they know best --- everyone has an opinion and I was asking for help not the usual your keeping the wrong fish etc etc etc . Was looking for advice on my problem not advice on my stocking.

As it happens I've done what I thought was right with treatment and I get a feeling my tank is messed up. Get a feeling I'm gonna lose my stock which if that happens then I'm afraid it's for sale with the tank as I don't have the money to replace them

 

[nmonks]

Not "shooting" anyone down in flames. My comments are based on hard-earned experience and many, MANY years of being in the hobby, working with magazines, retailers and hobbyists.

If you look closely you'll see I actually did give some advice on medicating, too. But it's a mistake to assume treating the fungus now will postpone problems in the future. Both fungus and finrot are classic examples of diseases caused by environmental shortcomings. Keep a fish well, and neither finrot nor fungus are likely to rear their ugly heads!

Cheers, Neale

This is one downside to this forum when you post asking for help people shoot you down in flames because "they" think they know best --- everyone has an opinion and I was asking for help not the usual your keeping the wrong fish etc etc etc . Was looking for advice on my problem not advice on my stocking.

 

[andyg81]

I know it's not going to be an easy ride right now I know I have a problem

I'm waiting for my next pay day to change all my substrate out as its a mess too much off it and dirt deep down I think that's started the problem even though I do weekly 90-100 litre water changes I also have snails (came on some plants) I think some dead in the gravel which is why I'm changing it

I don't have unlimited money to spend on my fish so I'm hoping I can clear up the issue with the meds I have

Would aquarium salt help ?

 

[andyg81]

well this morning im still not sure ive done the right thing, my fish dont look happy at all, im considering taking the one ram out into a seperate tank and doing a 100% water change on the main tank, to rid the water of the chemicals I added last night.

 

[andyg81]

Just to add here's a better pic