Irritated Skin Or Not?

[mark4785]

Well here's the question no one can answer over on the tropical fish discussion forum.

In the picture below, within the black circle, does the skin/scales look irritated or unnatural in anyway for a male German Blue Ram?

I think there are too many red streaks, but I don't want to treat the tank for skin irritation if this redness is a norm for a GBR.

Thanks.

 

[james_fish]

My goodness that Ram is beautiful.

hmmm, doesn't seem too out of the original, but could be a little something? Hard to tell.
Has their been any flicking/scratching on the substrate/decor?

I'd just keep an eye out for now.

James.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

that's a female, right?

seems a bit out of the ordinary. as james said, just keep an eye out.

 

[mark4785]

that's a female, right?

seems a bit out of the ordinary. as james said, just keep an eye out.

No, it's a male. I've been doing 4-6 day blackouts on the tank to remove cyanobacteria which has resulted in the black blob on the Ram going a bit lighter and bits of blue appearing within it. It is normally jet black.

Note: if you click on the picture it goes larger. You may be able to see better then.

 

[AstonN24vantage]

that makes sense then.

 

[mark4785]

My goodness that Ram is beautiful.

hmmm, doesn't seem too out of the original, but could be a little something? Hard to tell.
Has their been any flicking/scratching on the substrate/decor?

I'd just keep an eye out for now.

James.

Thanks.

What makes you think there's a 'little something'?

Sorry, but I really do need a good definitive opinion lol.

edit: here's a picture of him months earlier:

His fins were in bad condition when I bought him from the LFS, but that redness on his underside is not there!

 

[james_fish]

My goodness that Ram is beautiful.

hmmm, doesn't seem too out of the original, but could be a little something? Hard to tell.
Has their been any flicking/scratching on the substrate/decor?

I'd just keep an eye out for now.

James.

Thanks.

What makes you think there's a 'little something'?

Sorry, but I really do need a good definitive opinion lol.

edit: here's a picture of him months earlier:

His fins were in bad condition when I bought him from the LFS, but that redness on his underside is not there!

I don't think there can be a definate answer. It could be anything. Like I said all you can do is keep your eye on him. There's nothing you need to be worried about as long as he's swimming normal, feeding normal and keeping his colours. Which he clearly is. You don't need an answer yet, as we don't know what it is, therfore you can't treat it.

James.

 

[mark4785]

I don't think there can be a definate answer. It could be anything. Like I said all you can do is keep your eye on him. There's nothing you need to be worried about as long as he's swimming normal, feeding normal and keeping his colours. Which he clearly is. You don't need an answer yet, as we don't know what it is, therfore you can't treat it.

James.

Well the redness concerns me and I felt like someone with a lot more experience than myself would be able to identify the redness has being strange or normal on a GBR. I haven't seen this redness on GBR's within LFS' etc so really I'd like to know what the deal is based on the little evidence I have shown everybody.

I think I'll probably print out the picture of the GBR and go to several LFS' to ask for their opinion of the perceived problem and see what they say. I know LFS' are liable to diagnose something in order to sell an aquatic remedy to make money but I'll make it known that my wallets staying closed.

 

[james_fish]

I don't think there can be a definate answer. It could be anything. Like I said all you can do is keep your eye on him. There's nothing you need to be worried about as long as he's swimming normal, feeding normal and keeping his colours. Which he clearly is. You don't need an answer yet, as we don't know what it is, therfore you can't treat it.

James.

I think I'll probably print out the picture of the GBR and go to several LFS' to ask for their opinion of the perceived problem and see what they say. I know LFS' are liable to diagnose something in order to sell an aquatic remedy to make money but I'll make it known that my wallets staying closed.

That will be the best thing to do, but like I said. As long as it's not showing to cause the fish any stress or affecting it's feeding patterns and such. It should be okay.

James.

 

[mark4785]

I don't think there can be a definate answer. It could be anything. Like I said all you can do is keep your eye on him. There's nothing you need to be worried about as long as he's swimming normal, feeding normal and keeping his colours. Which he clearly is. You don't need an answer yet, as we don't know what it is, therfore you can't treat it.

James.

I think I'll probably print out the picture of the GBR and go to several LFS' to ask for their opinion of the perceived problem and see what they say. I know LFS' are liable to diagnose something in order to sell an aquatic remedy to make money but I'll make it known that my wallets staying closed.

That will be the best thing to do, but like I said. As long as it's not showing to cause the fish any stress or affecting it's feeding patterns and such. It should be okay.

James.

Alright, thanks James.



Just thought I'd make known that since adding an additional 2000LPH output filter with powerful UV-C, the Ram has stopped rubbing excessively. Theres no proof to indicate the UV-C stopped the rubbing but hopefully that is what has helped so I don't have to worry anymore.