Gold Ram (german Blue Ram)

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Tank size: 200 litre
pH: 7.5
ammonia: 0 (less than lowest readout on liquid test kit)
nitrite: 0 (less than lowest readout on liquid test kit)
nitrate: 12.5 to 25 ppm
kH: live in hard water area - no RO water used.
gH: live in hard water area - no RO water used.
tank temp:27.4 degrees C

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): Fish hangs near surface of water. Gills moving at aprox 3x the speed of the gills of his partner (same type of fish.)

Volume and Frequency of water changes: twice weekly - 1/3rd to 1/4 of the tank depending on Nitrate readings.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: CO2 - which has been turned right down until I find out the cause of the problem.

Tank inhabitants: See sig.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): None - these were the last addition.

Exposure to chemicals: None. Very careful of this.

Digital photo (include if possible): not suitable. Cannot see gill movement in a photo.



Hi All. Have filled in the above to try and get as many good answers as possible.

As explained the fish is a 1" gold ram bought from the shop around 10 days ago. Bought 2 at the same time. One is absolutely fine. eating, swimming around and nattering with the other tank inhabitants, the other is very quiet and has been since purchase. He sits amoungst the plants at the top of the tank (hanging under the surface) and breathes very heavily and fast.

Im wondering whether it could be a gill infection? There are no signs of parasites (no slime, visible parasites or excess mucus from the gills.

Re-visited the shop I had bought from to ask about their water temp and noticed the tank was pretty much empty. Lots had died.

Any one have ideas? No other fish is breathing heavily or showing any distress.

Thanks.

Turn off the CO2 unit, Raise the temp a little to at least 28C, Sounds like a lack of O2 is there any surface movment?

That was a good idea - but all the other fish are fine. Not a lack of 0xygen type problem. Am raising the temp slowly thanks to your previous advice. Letting everyone adapt.

Only this one fish moving his gills so fast. everyone else is at roughly 3 x less speed.

have you a picture of the ram? as andy says raise temp and aerate.

your GH is more than likely a little high, but shouldnt be causing this problem, oxygen doesnt disolve in water well at higher temperatures so a little surface agitation should solve the problem

Okay - was able to take these.

1st the healthy Ram. Swimming merrily - just now fed on brine shrimp. took plenty of them too.



shes normally more colourful than this - camera made her nervous. She came in for a good look though. Was showing all the beautiful blue markings on her fins just before feeding time.

This is the one im nervous for.



It hangs around - here it was around 2 inches from the surface. Dont know if you can make the image out but there are no parasites, marks or mucus coming from the gills.

ideas?


edited - adding more detail.