Golden Rams

[Bloo]

I have a couple of Golden Rams. I had 4 about 10 months ago and now I’m down to two – and they are looking pretty miserable to say the least. They are in a community tank (very well established) but the only thing is that the PH in that tank is between 7.8 and 8. Not great for these chaps I know. I’m thinking that’s perhaps the reason why they look like they are losing weight (no internal parasites and all other fish in tank are 100% healthy) with no signs of illness. I feed a variety of food – frozen as well as live. The temperature is around 26 degrees celcius. They do not get bullied by anyone ever.
What’s wrong

 

[juanveldez]

just a couple quick questions.

1. are they eating well, by that they too have ample time to get to the top and eat as well as the others.?

and the other question is do the perk up for a day or 2 after water changes or are they always miserable?

 

[Bloo]

Well unfortunately I'm down to one lone Ram today

Well, they were eating well. I feed a variety of food at the same time and they always got their fair share of live and frozen food as well - they love bloodworm.

Nope, they always look miserable and underweight - the eyes are almost pronounced (but that's probably due to being thin) but it's not in any way pop-eye.

I just don't know.
I've never had success with these lovely fish and they only ever seem to last an average of 6 months or so. I guess it’s best not to keep Rams again.

 

[juanveldez]

that is also a sad fact that we have to deal with in the cichlid world not all fish are suited for the tanks we have. I personally will never keep oscars again as like you the only seem to last about 6 months then they die, I have sank alot of money into oscars in the past and never again. I suggest a different street perhaps while not rams perhaps keyholes or kribs, its a labor of love when it comes to finding the cichlids that would work well for you.