MissMTS

I had 2 bolivian rams in my 29 gallon tank. About a month ago, one turned a really dark (almost black) color. Last week it died. Now my other ram has turned a dark color as well and is hiding and not eating. All the other fish in the tank are happy and doing well. Any ideas to what could be causing this

FishKing

Check your water parameters. Bad water quality might be the cause. Get back to us on it.

MissMTS

Water is fine. Everything at zero. Nitrates at 5.0. He is now unable to swim, just laying on the bottom of the tank and is almost completely black. I am sad cause he looks like he will probably die sometime tonight. He stopped eating yesterday. Its wierd that it was so sudden. All the other fish are fine.

MissMTS

I feel so bad. He has just been laying there for hours. He tries to swim, but he has a swim bladder problem (he is upsidedown). Right now he is still breathing and his mouth is moving but that's it. I just feel so bad watching him suffer

COBettaCouple

It may be a protozoan disease like Hexamita or Chilodonella. Try treating him with a med that has Metronidazole in it. Like:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...40&c=3578+4620
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4756
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=12788
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=16807

or you can even order Metronidazole from DFS:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=4753

MissMTS

Thanks for the info Dave. He died last night Do you think I should treat the tank anyways or should I just leave it alone as long as the other fish look fine?

COBettaCouple

I'm sorry you lost him. I think I would get the med that you'd use IF it showed up in another fish to have just in case but not use it now. Then you'd be ready at the first sign of trouble.

MissMTS

okay sounds good