Bad Luck Rams

Hey guys..
I don't know if there's a answer I'm looking for.
I'm kinda bummed frustrated.

I just lost my 3rd ram today since February.
I previously had great luck with GBR with the prior one lasting 2 years before this current die off.

Ammonia nitrate nitrite all 0. Temp 82.
Established tank over 5 years now.
I'm wondering if plant supplements like k or nitrogen may be partially responsible ?

Idk.. Thanks

 

Nope, your plant supplements aren’t the problem. Rams are notorious for living for very short periods of time due to unhealthy breeding. However, you shouldn’t be testing for 0 nitrates. Even if it’s heavily planted, you should at least see a little bit.

 

Gosh I've actually just switched from rams to apistos after my last male died. He was perfectly healthy then suddenly declined within less than 2 days. I must've had him for about just over a year. Heartbreaking cause he was my favorite fish, very colorful and active. I decided to switch because the quality of rams I'm finding from lfs isn't great yet the price keeps going up. If I do decide to get again I'll try a local breeder. I don't think the death is something you did wrong, especially if they have been dying suddenly without any visible tank issues. Could just be bad genetics...

 

Rams can be as frustrating as ottos to keep alive. I have them in three aquariums. In one the rams are fine and living long. In the other aquariums I have lost a gold in one and a GBR in the other. The water and supplements for the plants are the same.

 

Gosh I've actually just switched from rams to apistos after my last male died. He was perfectly healthy then suddenly declined within less than 2 days. I must've had him for about just over a year. Heartbreaking cause he was my favorite fish, very colorful and active. I decided to switch because the quality of rams I'm finding from lfs isn't great yet the price keeps going up. If I do decide to get again I'll try a local breeder. I don't think the death is something you did wrong, especially if they have been dying suddenly without any visible tank issues. Could just be bad genetics...

I have not tried apistos before.
Do they do well in a planted community setup ?
Maybe I will need to switch to.
It's disappointing to do well with them and then not having any viable luck at all.

 

I'm loving them so far! I have them in the same tank I had my rams I'm, a planted community tank. I have a lone female gbr in with them too, along with all my other fish

 

Apistos can be a little harder to find, but man are they cool fish.

 

Apistos can be a little harder to find, but man are they cool fish.

I think you guys have convinced me to give these guys a try !

 

Look up Aspitogramma cacatuoides. That's my favorite.

 

Yeah I got 3 cacatuoides "orange flash". Lovely little things. They're not super colorful when young, but usually color up brilliantly as they mature.

 

Yeah I got 3 cacatuoides "orange flash". Lovely little things. They're not super colorful when young, but usually color up brilliantly as they mature.

Do they do well alone ?
Or do you need a small group ?

 

I think they'd be fine alone but I want to try breeding them, and usually it's a bit of a harem situation. Also gives better chances of having them breed. Depending on your tank size and other inhabitants you can decide what is best I think it's fun to watch her them interact with one another too.

 

I think they'd be fine alone but I want to try breeding them, and usually it's a bit of a harem situation. Also gives better chances of having them breed. Depending on your tank size and other inhabitants you can decide what is best I think it's fun to watch her them interact with one another too.

Cool cool.
I don't breed anything cept MTS
I'll be on the look out for these guys !

 

UPdate . APistos are exensive. I'm not willing to shell out 100 + for 2 fish.

I upgraded the aquarium to 75 gal.
No losses, purchased a GBR that was eating & really colored up and looked awesome.

A week later it's gone, So frustrating !

 

Wait, that’s a Balloon Ram, those are about as unhealthy of a fish you can get! I’d never suggest buying one.ead: I got two 3 Rams in the last 2 weeks and all are thriving. I even have a Black ram, which is a new color morph. Had her for a few months now. Whats your PH, GH, and KH?

 

Wait, that’s a Balloon Ram, those are about as unhealthy of a fish you can get! I’d never suggest buying one.ead: I got two 3 Rams in the last 2 weeks and all are thriving. I even have a Black ram, which is a new color morph. Had her for a few months now. Whats your PH, GH, and KH?

Damp !!
I haven't rechecked ph and hardness since moving.
It looked like a reg gbr when I bought it.
Is there a definitive way to separate gbr from balloon rams when looking in store ?

 

I just noticed the gold one in your profile picture is also a balloon. They’re totally different in body shape. Look at mine. The black one is older and just ate so she has a slightly larger stomach.

 

View attachment 460798 UPdate . APistos are exensive. I'm not willing to shell out 100 + for 2 fish.

I upgraded the aquarium to 75 gal.
No losses, purchased a GBR that was eating & really colored up and looked awesome.

A week later it's gone, So frustrating !

For what it's worth, I became an Apisto borelliI owner this week -- my first apistos. I got them from Aquatic Arts -- roughly $70 for a pair and that is with shipping.

 

I just noticed the gold one in your profile picture is also a balloon. They’re totally different in body shape. Look at mine. The black one is older and just ate so she has a slightly larger stomach.

Yes you are right, I think I've been buying all balloon rams.
Thank you.
Essentially they should be streamlined and balloon rams appear more like ovals swimming around .

 

Sorry, but that’s kind of funny lol! I think you’re going to have 1000X better luck with regular Rams.

 

For what it's worth, I became an Apisto borelliI owner this week -- my first apistos. I got them from Aquatic Arts -- roughly $70 for a pair and that is with shipping.

I like them, that's a good price .
I do hope they do good for you.

 

let me know if you need any help with regular Rams!

 

Sorry, but that’s kind of funny lol! I think you’re going to have 1000X better luck with regular Rams.

I think your right on !
I am going to a different store to see if I can find fish designed to swim.
I appreciate your help those are my favorite fish to have .

 

Wishing you lots of luck with GBR's! I had some and really liked them, but I was unable to keep them healthy and alive. They really are beautiful!

 

I’d take a peak at your water hardness and PH, if your water is really hard you might need to fix that. Unless the PH is like 8.2+ you can just forget about changing it. I’ll warn you though, if you see Rams in the store that appear larger than normal, that’s because of line breeding and hormones.

 

I’d take a peak at your water hardness and PH, if your water is really hard you might need to fix that. Unless the PH is like 8.2+ you can just forget about changing it. I’ll warn you though, if you see Rams in the store that appear larger than normal, that’s because of line breeding and hormones.

Got this guy from a different store.
A little more pricey but not a balloon ? Right ?

 

Looks like a male, and you’re right it’s not a balloon!

 

Looks like a male, and you’re right it’s not a balloon!

WHOO HOO !!

 

Bout time

 

Bout time

Having high hopes for this one.
He's looking good. Nerite photo bomb.

 

My Rams spawned last night

 

My Rams spawned last night

Awesome !
Hope you have a good turn out.

 

Now I had my Gold lay eggs and my regular Blue Ram is the dad!