My Ram Is Just Lying On The Substrate!

[Rambo]

my sub-adult male german blue ram is just lying on the substrate by the bogwood in his tank. he's not showing any signs of illness or stress and still looks exactly the same, except he's not doing anything. gills seem to be functioning as normal, and the the female of the pair appears fine. they spawned last week, but all the eggs were eaten. the two rams are the only fish in the tank.
normally i wouldn't worry, but i've had problems with rams in the past and don't want to lose this one. the most worrying thing is he's not swimming at all, normally he is quite active.


has anyone got any ideas about what is wrong and/or what i can do?


cheers

 

[RadaR]

Test the water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and hardness. I take it that the water is soft and acidic as the Rams spawned? That's what they need. Rams are delicate fish and are very sensitive to changes in water chemistry, disease, and medications.

 

[Rambo]

it's RO water, so very soft

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate; 0ppm
pH: 7.0

temperature: 27-28C

the tank is well planted with sword plants and cabomba, the filter is working fine and the substrate is limopo black, a very fine, natural substrate. there is a cave, a rock and a piece of bogwood in the tank

 

[RadaR]

Hhmm. Well your water is fine no doubt about that. He may just be simply resting, recovering his energy from the spawning. Maybe do a partcial water change and/or put a small air pump in there.

 

[Phantom Thief]

A lack of activity is a definite indication of something wrong. I doubt it's resting from the spawning. Unfortunately, with no syndromes, i have no idea what's wrong. Keep a sharp eye on it.

P.T.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Does he look bloated at all? Are there any red streaks on his belly (which he may be laying on so they may be hidden)? Are his fins shreaded at all?

 

[Rambo]

sorry, he's just died. there were no marks on him at all, he still seems to be in perfect condition, apart from being dead.
i've had this problem before with rams, particularly males, all of which have died within a week of spawning. does anyone know what is causing this, any feedback would be useful.

thanks for all of your previous help

 

[tttnjfttt]

I have no clue what would be the cause of that. Since it seems to happen regularly after spawning, maybe post in the new world cichlid section?

Sorry for your loss.