Rams Critical

[kad191]

Hi
 
Tank stats
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 40ppm
temp 25.8-26.2
pH 7.5
 
240 ltr, fluval 306 external, heavily planted.
 
2 angelfish
4 cory catfish
2 dwarf blue guarmi
6 serpae tetra
10 neon tetra
2 yellow balloon rams
2 blue balloon rams
2 small common pleco
 
 
Hi.
about a week ago i noticed a small lump on one of my yellow balloon rams. He's still feeding, swimming and behaving normally. Advised by my local lfs i dosed with interpet no9 anti internal bacteria (thursday). After a day his lump started going down.  
 
Today i noticed a small growth on one of my pleco's (the one which is about to be rehomed). Its on the front edge of his front fin, again seems to be sucking the glass and behaving normally. It seems very similar to the balloon rams lump.
 
I also noticed today that the other yellow balloon ram was inactive and hiding in the plants.
 
I immediatly set up a isolation tank of apx 40 ltrs with tank water and a filter with media from my main tank filter, got it to the same temp and put the two balloon rams and the pleco in.
 
The lumpy ram still seems fine, swimming normally, so does the pleco. The other balloon ram is finding it hard to stay upright, breathing heavy, one of his gills seem to be flaired open and very red and also seems to be having what i can only describe as mini fits.
 
Ive dosed with no9 again and keeping a close eye.
 
Anyone any thoughts?
 
 
Pic of ram on wed.
 
http/imageshack.us/photo/my-images/820/img0434m.jpg/

 

[kad191]

more photos
 
http/imageshack.us/photo/my-images/845/img0439zw.jpg/
 
http/imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/img0436jpg2.jpg/
 
http/imageshack.us/photo/my-images/825/img0435jpg2.jpg/
 
http/imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/img0437jpg2.jpg/

 

[kad191]

Anybody?

 

[kad191]

Both rams have died. Thanks for all the help

 

[mark4785]

Hi Kad191,
 
I'm really sorry that nobody was able to offer any assistance promptly. However, what you must understand is GBR's are one of the hardest and temperamental fish to care for. They only live for 2-3 years and the balloon ram is artificially bred for it's colours rather than vitality which makes it life even shorter in my view. I've kept many GBR's before (the non-balloon variant) and I've known them die of shock from other Corydoras simply being in their way/territory, while other people add them to the aquarium and lose them within a couple of weeks.
 
If you are continuing to experience this white growth, please could provide clear over-head pictures again and I will try to identify it for you.
 
Note: as you are still stocked with another pair of GBR's I would consider lowering your nitrate levels as 40 ppm could so easily be 50-60 ppm knowing how inaccurate nitrate test kits can be.