Is This Normal?

[Keithoms]

Ok. Ive come to a point where i think i have a male and a female. If going by this, here is my situation.

Im looking at my tank and im only seeing one of the rams. I wait for 5 mins and i still only see one. I go and look at the tank and i find what i think is the male ram hovering behind a sword leaf. He is a really really deep black and all the red has come out alot in his fins.

What i think is the female is just as normal. Whats the "male" doing?

Now he is just hovering around the bogwood. Id say he was "shaky" but thats not the word. He just seems weak and listless.

 

[Keithoms]

I see people are reading this, please reply D:

 

[JoshH]

Afaik, they colour up black when unhappy, possibly 'hes' getting bullied by 'her' lol

 

[minxfishy]

Have you tested the water since introducing them? I know its probably all A1, but I have to ask.

Colouring up that dark isnt a good sign, its either water quality, serious stress from the move or bullying.

 

[Keithoms]

Tested water, A1 as you said . I did a 50% change anyway, but he looks like hes dying. Hes not being bullied, they luckily get on very well with each other.

 

[Keithoms]

Ok, ive put him in my betta tank (and put betta in a breeder box...) lets see if he cheers up.

 

[Keithoms]

Ok... he was lying on his side breathing today so i euthanised him

 

[Truck]

there could have been nothing wrong with him! make sure you get good aeration along with nitrates below 20 ppm, and a temp of 26+oC

 

[Keithoms]

Ive not done it yet, ice is still freezing. He tries to swim occasionaly but just spins round and round.

 

[Truck]

dont use ice! its cruel, use a knife and sever the spinal chord, then pith the brain
and dont euthanize until you can pin point a cause, can you post your water parameters and what test kit your using?

 

[JoshH]

How's he doing today Keith mate?

 

[three-fingers]

I wouldn't use ice Keith (look it up, there's some horror stories)...as harsh as it sounds safest, fastest and kindest way is a brick, mallet or boot to the head.

Can you get a pic of him?

With no obvious external symptoms I'd have to guess internal bacteria or parasites.

 

[Keithoms]

Sorry for being away for so long, busy..

Anyway, shortly after making my last post he started laying on his side breathing heavily. Fish started nipping at him, he was still breathing but didnt try to swim away. I didnt want him to suffer so i iced him (Sorry, didnt know it was that bad at the time ). He stopped breathing instantly.

Prams at the time:
Ammonia:0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5

I dont think that tank is to blame, the other one is happy as a bee, very explorative and colourful.

 

[minxfishy]

Sorry for your loss keith, its good hear that the other ram is still doing well.

I personally on small fish use the ice method too, I use a jug/bowl of cold water and place it in the freezer until a layer of ice forms, then break the ice and pop the fish in, its fairly instantaneous. Obviously on larger fish or cold water fish, I dont think this method would be any good and would use the cut off head method, but thankfully havent had to do that yet.