Sick Ram

[SouthernCross]

Hi all,

My male ram is very sick. The only way to describe it is hea gone absolutely dark grey and is breathing rapidly and resting on the bottom. I don't think he's going to last very long. My female ram is fine. I added some guppies about a week ago. I tested the water two days ago when he started to look unwell and had a small ammonia spike. This tank has been running fine otherwise for three years. I have done 50% water changes the last two days to no avail. I understand my tank is probably having a mini cycle from adding the guppies. The ammonia has stayed in a very low range with my water changes but I don't think it's going to be enough. He looks like his top fin has developed a little hole in it.

The nitrite was 0 and nitrate about 20-30.
I know rams are very sensitive to water quality and it's prob the ammonia spike, but my female ram is fine. My male looks god awful . Is there a chance something else might be going on here?



I have a pic but I am on my iPhone and Can't figure out how to add it to the post? Any pointers?

 

[SouthernCross]

With photo hopefully

 

[SouthernCross]

He died overnight.

 

[JohnDyer]

Maybe he's just getting old? German Rams only live around 3 years, so if you've had him since setting up, he'll be reaching the natural end of his life anyways. Old fish (like old people) get more sensitive to their environment.

 

[jarednsteph]

I lost my male Blue Ram, Houdini, 3 weeks ago. He went the same way, lost almost all his colour, hid away alot and became a very finnicky eater...I can only guess it was age as no amount of water changes or medicine helped...he lasted a week before he simply disappeared for good (he was the master of hide and seek). I miss him, he was such a character