Blue Rams in blackwater

[ljse]

Do rams come from blackwater biotopes?
If they dont, is it okay if I added them to a tank with blackwater extract?

 

[liv2padl]

any 'rams' in the hobby today are probably raised on fish farms either in the far east or florida. 'black water' is not necessary for maintainance of these fish unless their wild caught. they do however, prefer soft and slightly acidic water.

 

[ljse]

Thanks for the reply. My male ram is sitting on the leaves and not doing anything. When I put bloodworms in front of it, it did not even react to them wriggling on the leaves. Its color is also faded. The females are doing fine. Should I take it back to the store?

 

[liv2padl]

rams are a very fragile and sensitive fish and generally cannot be expected to do well in a tank which has not been established for at least 6-8 months. they are most at risk when you first bring them home. if you can get them through the first 3-4 months they ultimately will be o.k.

have you checked your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels? what's the pH of your water. how often do you do water changes and how much do you change. what's the temperature of the water. how long has the tank been running. how long have you had these rams.

 

[ljse]

I just bought the rams yesterday. My ph is around 7.3. The LFS guy told me to buy fluval peat granules to lower my ph, instead of using blackwater extract. I do weekly water changes and my tank has been running since the beginning of this summer. My temperature is always at 78F.

I just returned the ram to the store and the guy said that it was the only male they had in their shipment so I have to wait until they get more to get a male. The guy told me that something was most likely wrong with the fish originally because my females are doing great so far.

 

[ttan]

I hear that the peat nuggests are a rip off and that it cheaper to use sphagnum peat moss instead. I bought a big bag for like 4 bucks, but I haven't gone back to my apartment yet to try it out.

 

[ljse]

I put the peat in my filter and Il have to see tommorrow whether it worked. The LFS guy said that he always uses the granules when he breeds rams. He said that they are better because there are no peat moss strands that can get detached and float around the tank.

 

[Emg]

I have high PH (7.8-8.2) and softer water...I don't do anything to change those parameters and my blue rams do fine.

I think you run into more problems messing with the parameter, than just leaving them be and letting the fish adjust.

I imagine the problem with your male was that he was a weakened fish for one reason or another...and he didn't take well to the adjustment period. The only problem I have experienced with my rams is that they stress out bigtime during the transport and acclimation process. If you take it slow and easy adjusting them to your water, if they are healthy..they'll do fine.

The only ram I lost to this process...was one I knew I shouldn't have purchased because he had a long stringy poop dangling from him at the store...but he was the only male and I desperately wanted a male. Foolish me went and brought him home, then ended up taking the body back to the store the next day. He was dead within an hour of bringing him home..and that was after taking over half an hour to acclimate him.

 

[ljse]

I think that maybe Il wait about a week or two and get a male ram wehn the store gets a shipment. The store I bought it from had them for 4.99 and the only store I know that has them sells for 13.99. Hopefully the females will survive.

 

[ttan]

If you put the peat in a bio bag or nylon knee high that should get rid of the peat strands...no? The point about not messing with the water is a good one.