Female Gbr Not Eating + Colour Loss

[mark4785]

Well, the female German Blue Ram (GBR) in my aquarium seems to have completely lost it's appetite and it's appearance has changed quite a bit. It looks much more pale now and a black line has appeared horizontally across the fish. The female GBR happily followed the male GBR and vice versa a number of days ago now it's not interested in doing anything but sitting at the bottom of the aquarium near the air stone.

I have attached two Youtube video links below. I'd appreciate some opinions regarding the female GBR's colour change and what might be possibly wrong with her as I'd really like her behaviour and colours to go back to the way they were otherwise I'm going to lose her.

Video 01: click here to view.
Video 02: click here to view.

One thing that I think may have caused the change in behaviour/colour is the introduction of Sodalite mineral rocks which cause the PH of water to become more alkaline. I was told they would not change the PH value by the seller! GBR's need a acidic PH level and this is not something I have achieved as of yet because of the Sodalite issue and the fact that my tap water has a PH value of 7.2 - 7.6. I have ordered a PH changer product named 'Seachem Neutral Regulator' which when used brings the PH down to 7.0. This hasn't arrived yet unfortunately.

 

[james_fish]

I forgot to ask on the other post how long have you had the Rams for?

James.

 

[mark4785]

I forgot to ask on the other post how long have you had the Rams for?

James.

Around 7-9 days.

 

[james_fish]

Okay, I had it in my head you've had them a while for some reason? As they only live around 3 years, which is relatively short for alot of the hobby's fish.

I just hope you get your pH lowering equipment, and then fishgod will decide on the rest. I hope it works out for you and your Ram Cichlids.

James.

 

[mark4785]

Okay, I had it in my head you've had them a while for some reason? As they only live around 3 years, which is relatively short for alot of the hobby's fish.

I just hope you get your pH lowering equipment, and then fishgod will decide on the rest. I hope it works out for you and your Ram Cichlids.

James.

Thanks James.

I hope the Seachem PH buffer sorts the problem out. At present, it's hard to determine whether the alkaline PH has caused the female GBR to go quiet or whether the alkaline PH has induced a separate issue (internal parasite maybe? seeing as it isn't eating).

I decided to trial the PH buffer instead of installing an RO system which in theory should produce pure water with a PH of around 6.5 (a suitable PH for GBR's) but no one can guarantee that this would be the case so i've scrapped the idea.

 

[mark4785]

Good news!

The female GBR is now eating and swimming quite actively around the aquarium!

I'm so happy that it's better, although I have no doubt that somewhere down the line I will have to cope with similar issues with it being such a fussy fish!