maligne Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Hello all. Iv lost two bolivian rams this week. My favorite fish just went today. My rams have never come to the surface of my tank, they cruze the bottom and the middle. Last week I noticed one ram swimming in lazy circles at the surface. When he was not doing that he would be in his coconut shell cave very still but seemingly hyperventilating. large heavy fast gills is the best way to describe it. days later he was gone. he showed no other signs of sickness or distress. yesterday my favorite ram started do the same thing with his gills (Colour was good). This morning I woke up and he was gone too. does anyone hae any experience with this? 0 ammonia 0 nitrate 5.0 nitrate ph 7.8 (Edmonton tap water) all other fish so far show no signs of distress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkSolid Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Simplest questions first for me. Are you using a water conditioner suitable for Chloramines (assumption because your in Edmonton)? Have you changed anything in the last while (added new fish, different water conditioner, ETC...)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligne Posted August 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I use prime by seachem. The only thing that I changed was I loaded a bunch of purigen to my canister filter to scrub out some tannins. I have a lot of drift wood. I have two other rams in the tank and so far they seem to be very active and acting normal im keeping a super close eye on everything. One of my neon blue acaras flashes on the substrate and drift wood on oasion but he runs the tank and I kind of think that's a dominance thing more than anything thanks for your reply, the help is apreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayba Posted August 21, 2015 Report Share Posted August 21, 2015 I would dose Flubendazole. Since making it part of my regime with dwarf cichlids, it has all but cured wasting. The flashing makes me think its a nematode. It's a very stress free medication on fish as well. Just my 2¢ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uwish Posted August 22, 2015 Report Share Posted August 22, 2015 I have been keeping Bol. Rams for years, never had that happen. I take it you have good surface adjitation for CO2 exchange? (just a guess since rapid breathing seemed to be a symptom). No strange temperature issues? spikes? Could be what Jayba has described..kind of an unknown unknown..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligne Posted September 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2015 I had 4 bolivians and now I have one, Iv moved him to a new tank all just for him so we will see how he does, thanks for all the help every one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WickedOdie Posted September 3, 2015 Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 Gasping for air usually indicates low o2. Have you tried a water change and or throwing in an air stone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligne Posted September 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 I Don't think it was low o2, I'm starting to think that maybe the Bolivians where stressed from being in a large tank with my Acaras, The Acaras never bothered the Rams but they are much larger and occupy the same territory along the substrate. I have him in a 15 gallon by himself now and he has seemed to colour up and is even fighting his reflection in the glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligne Posted September 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2015 The reason why I don't think it was low o2 is because I have a lot of surface agitation from an eheim 2217 and a HOB fluval C4. I have rainbows and acaras in there that are doing just fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayba Posted September 4, 2015 Report Share Posted September 4, 2015 I would dose Flubendazole. Since making it part of my regime with dwarf cichlids, it has all but cured wasting. The flashing makes me think its a nematode. It's a very stress free medication on fish as well. Just my 2¢ I change my answer. If your water chemistry is fine and there is good surface agitation, my money is on Gill flukes. Another 2¢ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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