My Ram is sick

[Kirsty]

My little blue german ram seems to be poorly. There are no physical signs of illness but he just sits at the back on top of the filter.

Whats wrong with him?

 

[black angel]

how long have you had him, what else is in the tank and have you tested the water recently?

 

[Kirsty]

Tested the water a few days ago:
Ammonia 0
Nitrates 10
Nitrites 0
pH 7.4

I have had him for a good few weeks now, my other larger Ram is fine, but the little one seems poorly.

He is in with some cardinal tetras, zebra danios, a catfish called Tigger (LDA01).

Any idea what might be wrong with him (or her)?

 

[black angel]

has the smaller one stopped eating at all and does he have any physical symptoms such as having a hollow belly and darkening in colour?has he passed anything lately and if so what did it look like? could he be bullied by the other ram, are they both males.
how big is the tank?
sorry about all the questions

 

[Kirsty]

Its a 14G. They normally get on really well, i havent noticed any bullying, i am however unsure of either of their sex.
The little Ram didnt eat last night or this morning, havent seen him poo recently.

He is darker than usual (which i think is a sign of stress) but otherwise his appearence is unchanged.

Maybe he is just under the weather?

 

[WILDER]

It sounds like a bacteria infection, if the fish has darkened in colour, you will need to treat with an interpet anti internal bacteria med, good luck, also just be prepared as once they stop eating it isn't a good sign.

 

[Kirsty]

What could have caused it?

 

[WILDER]

Could of had it at the lfs, or picked it up- in the tank, when they get stressed they are open to desease setting in,how often do you do gravel vacs, also i would turn the temp down abit with having a bacteria infection.

 

[Kirsty]

Do a gravel vac once a week with the water change.

LFS reckoned it was the live bloodworms we fed them.

He is now looking a lot better and has started swimming and eating again (have been treating him since friday).

 

[WILDER]

glad to hear that hope he makes it.

 

[rdd1952]

i am however unsure of either of their sex.

Females are generally smaller and have a pinkish belly. Also, the spines on the dorsal fin of males are generally longer/taller than those on the female.