Is there something wrong with my ram?

I got this little one a few months ago. S/he was sold as a longfin German Blue Ram. S/he seems very curious, and always acts happy to see me!

However, two things are worrying me: the color seems dull compared to pics I've seen other GBRs. Is this an indicator of a problem? Also, the tail fin looks ragged to me--is this fin rot?

Tank is 72 gallons, 80 degrees, 0/0/20 (nitrates too high for the GBR?). Other inhabitants are an angel, rainbowfish, tetras, cories, platies.

Any thoughts?

 

How often do you do water changes, and how much do you change?

If she's the only ram in the tank, she probably won't show her best coloration. If you add a male, she might color up more.

 

Thanks for the reply, TexasDomer!

I was doing a 30% WC every two weeks. I thought I could get away with it, but my nitrates got too high (they were 40 last week before my WC). So now I'm going back to weekly.

This is the only ram in the tank. Good to know about the color!

Do you think it's a she? Would a female be less colorful? (I don't know the difference between the males and females.)

 

Weekly should help the tail situation I would even move to 2-3 times weekly for a few weeks.

And no, I said "she" before looking closely. I think it's a male due to the elongated dorsal ray (unless I'm seeing things in the pic that aren't there? I can't zoom in so I can't get a better look).

 

Weekly should help the tail situation I would even move to 2-3 times weekly for a few weeks.

And no, I said "she" before looking closely. I think it's a male due to the elongated dorsal ray (unless I'm seeing things in the pic that aren't there? I can't zoom in so I can't get a better look).

Got it. I will be less lazy for the sake of my fish. Lol

Thanks so much, TexasDomer!

 

TexasDomer Here's another view that might help you get a better view of the dorsal ray, if you wouldn't mind taking another peek...

 

The pic cuts off the top of the dorsal rays. Can you try again? Nice pics though

 

Oops! Sorry! LOL

Here's another....


My ram is wondering what on earth I am doing!

 

Looks like a male to me!

 

Looks like a male to me!

Thanks, TexasDomer! I'd better give him a proper name now that I know!