Strange Behavior Question

[gwand]

Two observations and a question. My South American tank has Glowlight tetras, a pair of a. cacatuoides juveniles and a Bolivian ram. Observation #1. There has been no tension between the cacatuoides and the ram. They often mingle together. This may be because the cacatuoides are young. Observation #2. The ram prefers to rest on a rock or on the substrate rather than hover. I have posted about this ram the other day. He arrived on February 25 by mail order in terrible shape. I sent a photograph to the seller and he reimbursed me for the fish because we both thought the ram would die. However, a salt bath and tender, loving care resulted in great improvement in the Rams condition. He doesn’t have great color. My question is, is it unusual for a Bolivian ram to rest on the substrate, or on other flat surfaces, rather than hover and swim. He lives in 77°F water, pH 6.5, GH115 ppm with no ammonia or nitrite. Nitrate levels are around 5 ppm. He has performed this behavior during six weeks of quarantine, and now three weeks in the South American tank. See pics

 

[Fishkeeper123]

Two observations and a question. My South American tank has Glowlight tetras, a pair of a. cacatuoides juveniles and a Bolivian ram. Observation #1. There has been no tension between the cacatuoides and the ram. They often mingle together. This may be because the cacatuoides are young. Observation #2. The ram prefers to rest on a rock or on the substrate rather than hover. I have posted about this ram the other day. He arrived on February 25 by mail order in terrible shape. I sent a photograph to the seller and he reimbursed me for the fish because we both thought the ram would die. However, a salt bath and tender, loving care resulted in great improvement in the Rams condition. He doesn’t have great color. My question is, is it unusual for a Bolivian ram to rest on the substrate, or on other flat surfaces, rather than hover and swim. He lives in 77°F water, pH 6.5, GH115 ppm with no ammonia or nitrite. Nitrate levels are around 5 ppm. He has performed this behavior during six weeks of quarantine, and now three weeks in the South American tank. See pics View attachment 366298View attachment 366299

I’ve had it that they my cichlids lie on the floor and when they are stressed or trying to get away and are submitting. You got this guy recently so maybe he has worms, however as you got him from a seller would doubt it. I personally would quarantine him/ away from the cactuoides and see if he does the same.

 

[GaryE]

The Bolivian is acting like a seriously ill Cichlid. The reimbursement may have been just, if he's acting and looking like that. He should be in the water column, active and social. It isn't a fish I would buy alone, but rather in a group of 4 to 6, and the solo thing may contribute. But he still looks 'rough'.

When well, altis are open spawners, while cacatuoides are cave spawners. So they don't directly compete, and in a large enough tank, should be peaceful unless one or the other is guarding young.