Picky Picky German Blue

[rayjay1234]

YAY! I finally got my beloved German Blue Ram. I bought him today from the LFS. He's a tiny guys, im assuming still a juvenile and I've had trouble sexing him/her because of the lack of distinctive colouration (I"m assuming this is just because of stress in the new environment). At first he sort of hung around at the back of the tank (10g, well planted, 3 neons, 2 dwarf ottos), but gradually he has started swimming around the tank.

I'm a little concerned though. He hasnt eaten anything. I have freeze dried bloodworms and a tropical flake food that my tetras have loved and the tiger barbs before them (RIP) loved as well. He pecks at these but wont eat them. I also bought a bottle of Nutrafin microgranules (slow sinking pellets) for tropical fish that again, pecks at but wont really eat. I dont know if he is full or just extremely picky or stressed.

I also have a terracotta cave built for him which he seems to be ignoring altogether. Maybe im just panicking, its my first ram ever. I dont know. Water parameters are a little weird for this type of fish but they are getting better.

ph 7.5
Nitrite 5
Nitrate 5
GH 130
Copper .5 - Being diluted out with filtered water

Any ideas/suggestions to get him really happy? Aside from water chemisty, I realize its an issue, I've ordered a water softener pillow and am looking into Peat Plates by Hagen.

 

[martin_jones]

Your nitrIte is quite high - it should be 0. Is your tank fully cycled?

Blue Rams are very sensitive to water quality. (just noticed you are aware of water quality - should've read the post properly).

Try doing a water change to lower your nitrites.

As far as softening the water, I have 4 blue rams and they seem happy in pH 7.5-8. (Going to go CO2 to lower it though)

HTH

Martin

 

[xJake]

It's probably the nitrites and that he's stressed from moving into a new tank. Do a large water change (50% or more) and give him some time. Adding a small amount of salt (1 tbsp per 10 gallons) can help aleviate some stress from the nitrite and improve gill function. Also, you'll want a bigger tank for him eventually as he'll get up to 3" and keeping him in such a small tank could stunt his growth.