Ram help

[benzonar]

Went to my lfs yesterday looking for Rams. Had seen some last week that had just been delivered and they looked great. This time when I went in they didn't seem as perky. Spoke to the assistant who said that he thought the ph was a little high in the shop so that might have had an effect on them.

I noticed some apistos in the neighbouring tanks weren't looking too bright either. Anyway They were German bred blue rams and thought I would save them, struck a deal and got the pair.

I got home and placed the bag in the tank to acclimatize. Tested the ph of the water in the bag, it was 8. Then tested my water which was at 5.5, ammonia and nitrites were at 0.

Left the rams in the bag and over the next four hours I added water from my tank nto the bag until the ph was down to 5.5/6. Then left them for another hour.

Eventually I added the pair to the tank. Both seemed a bit subdued, but did eat some bloodworm and brineshrimp. Female looked the worse, fins were clamped and she was moving very slowly around the tank.

Both the male and female have done a bit of flicking although this has now reduced.

This morning the male ram looked magnificent and majestic, swimming everywhere and coloured up nicely. The female however was not perky. She's a little better and is feeding ok. She is following the male around and he keeps displaying to her. Her dorsal isn't as clamped but she is still flicking a bit.

What else can I do?

Could it have been stress caused by the high ph in the shop?

Would be a shame to lose her as they seem coupled up already.

 

[WILDER]

How long did the lfs have them as two many ph changes over a few days can cause stress, been through it myself, could be the tank water making them flick getting used to it, any signs of laboured breathing, look at the gills do they look red and inflamed or pale.

 

[benzonar]

How long did the lfs have them as two many ph changes over a few days can cause stress, been through it myself, could be the tank water making them flick getting used to it, any signs of laboured breathing, look at the gills do they look red and inflamed or pale.

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She was at the lfs for about a week.

Gills look fine and no sign of laboured breathing. She just seems to go through bouts where she just hangs motionless in the water.

Have just noticed she has been vibrating when the male gets close. Hopefully she is perking up a bit.

 

[WILDER]

Just observe her closely, they do go through alot of stress bless them when they move to a new home, good luck.

 

[pseud]

I've always found females to be more sensitive than the males, so I'm not surprised she's taking longer to get used to the new tank. My female took at least a week to get fully settled in.

What kind of flicking is it? I've seen my female flick around like mad during spawning 'season', as if she's communicating. I'm sure she flicks around to tell the male to look for a good place to spawn, to clean the area, to fertilize the eggs, or to watch over them. It's really awesome to watch the interaction between the pair. Anyway..

 

[benzonar]

Well she is a lot brighter this morning, dorsal is raised and she is swimming around a lot more.

Both the male and females colours are good now. So fair there are no problems with the Taeniatu either. Looking good.