Something seems wrong, skittish rams, corys rubbing

Hey guys. Long story short... had my Corydoras, red eye tetras and Bolivian Rams in my 55 gallon tank for a couple months. As the Rams grew it turned out 5 for 5 were all males. The tank got tense with territory and all that. Meanwhile I was setting up 2 other tanks and cycling them. Last week while cleaning substrate I saw one of the Rams go over to a Cory and just try to take a bite out of his back. So, I removed the Rams and put them in the 38 gallon that was ready. Since then the Rams have become skittish. One of them darting around and slamming himself into the sand. Check the parameters and they are good. Same ph, gh, and Kh as the other tanks. 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and about 20 nitrates. I still don’t think they are eating.

Fast toward to tonight and the Corys are finally acting themselves again. Coming up to the tank, responding to my voice and seem to be playing. Like I said things got tense in the original tank. But then I see them rubbing all over the plants. Maybe playing? I don’t know. I don’t see anything that looks like ich. No spots or anything. The tetras seem totally fine. No Behaviour change. I’ve searched for something that meets all of this and can’t find it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Trying to post a video of the Corys but for some reason I’ve lost that ability. Here’s a pic of some of the Rams. I do see some weird spot under the fins up front. But they don’t show much color since moving tanks so I can’t be sure.

 

I'm still trying to figure out my remaining EBR. He's.. ok in his own tank but honestly he seemed 'happier' (less manic?) being chased around by the Betta in my larger tank.
He can go pale in an instant, and I'm worried he's got whatever killed the female EBR, but then turn around and be vivid blue. He does strange darting, obsessive swimming patterns, won't eat anything from me except for bloodworms.

I'm curious what others have experienced with Rams.

 

Originally I thought maybe they were just mad. Didn’t like the new tank and all of that. But then I saw the Corys acting scratchy. I’m really worried both tanks are infected with something and I just don’t know what it is or how to treat it. I can’t post videos for some reason but I’ll throw a few stills of the Corys in the plants. Seems like playing is scratching each other maybe?

 

I think my other Betta and the female EBR had Gill flukes - but I really have no idea.
They both had odd darting behavior, went pale, listless, rubbed against things in their tank, and stopped eating.

The 2 EBRs originally seemed to play/pair with an odd side by side 'dance'. Though now I suppose I should wonder if there was something more to it.

I treated with PraziPro then Salt after a WC. Salt can kill a lot of parasites gently. I still have the Betta, Angel and the Ram that might have also been infected so either it was an effective treatment, or they're not infected?

But this Ram does the same swimming/darting that makes me worry.

It's hard not be paranoid about our little friends.

Can you treat with Aquarium Salt for now?

 

I think my other Betta and the female EBR had Gill flukes - but I really have no idea.
They both had odd darting behavior, went pale, listless, rubbed against things in their tank, and stopped eating.

The 2 EBRs originally seemed to play/pair with an odd side by side 'dance'. Though now I suppose I should wonder if there was something more to it.

I treated with PraziPro then Salt after a WC. Salt can kill a lot of parasites gently. I still have the Betta, Angel and the Ram that might have also been infected so either it was an effective treatment, or they're not infected?

But this Ram does the same swimming/darting that makes me worry.

It's hard not be paranoid about our little friends.

Can you treat with Aquarium Salt for now?

Unfortunately the only thing I have on hand is Erythromycin. My daughter has had the flu for the past 5 days as well so I haven’t been able to get some more "just in case" meds. I was hoping they were just freaked out. But now with the Corys, I’m not so sure.

 

Maybe this video will work?

 

What the video is showing me is a female cory cleaning plant leaves for future egg laying activity. Mine do that when they are getting ready to breed. They tend to rub their noses on tank items to see if they are good for eggs. Some cories like flat smooth surfaces such as the glass walls and heater glass, others prefer the undersides of plants. Or some like both. In the video I can't tell if the other cory is female also or a male. But if you do have pair, watch for the classic cory "T" breeding position and possible eggs. They look nice and happy. Cories if they do have an itch will flash against stones and other objects quickly.

As for the rams give them a few days- they can be quite delicate-in that they take their time adjusting to new surroundings. Pale, not eating. You may even want to turn off the lights as it can be stressful for the first while. Maybe try feeding them a treat such as blood worm to get them to eat. Between the 2 tanks are there any differences in water parameters? Temp?
Good luck

 

Agree with placodragon.

Also, the rams may be stressed from moving around. If the one is "darting around and slamming himself into the sand" in way that looks like it is trying to scrape its body on the sand, you could be in the early stage of an ich infection. It may not be ich but watch them closely for any other symptom or signs of ich. You'll want to treat as soon as possible if it develops.

 

What the video is showing me is a female cory cleaning plant leaves for future egg laying activity. Mine do that when they are getting ready to breed. They tend to rub their noses on tank items to see if they are good for eggs. Some cories like flat smooth surfaces such as the glass walls and heater glass, others prefer the undersides of plants. Or some like both. In the video I can't tell if the other cory is female also or a male. But if you do have pair, watch for the classic cory "T" breeding position and possible eggs. They look nice and happy. Cories if they do have an itch will flash against stones and other objects quickly.

As for the rams give them a few days- they can be quite delicate-in that they take their time adjusting to new surroundings. Pale, not eating. You may even want to turn off the lights as it can be stressful for the first while. Maybe try feeding them a treat such as blood worm to get them to eat. Between the 2 tanks are there any differences in water parameters? Temp?
Good luck

Thanks! I just read this as I’m about to treat both tanks for ich. Now I’m not so sure. Water parameters are the same across the board. If anything the nitrates May be a little lower in the new tank as I’m due for a water change on the one they came from. I don’t see how that could be a problem. It’s been about 4 days and as far as I can tell they haven’t eaten. The temp is about 2 degrees higher in the new tank. But at the time of the change they were equal.

 

Agree with placodragon.

Also, the rams may be stressed from moving around. If the one is "darting around and slamming himself into the sand" in way that looks like it is trying to scrape its body on the sand, you could be in the early stage of an ich infection. It may not be ich but watch them closely for any other symptom or signs of ich. You'll want to treat as soon as possible if it develops.

That’s what I was thinking. But other than that I don’t see any signs of ick on them. I just bought Ich X and was going to treat the tank as such. Can I hurt them by treating the tank if it ends up not being that? This is really stressing me out. I feel like I should be doing something more but I just don’t know what to do at this point. Thanks.

 

Don't stress on this. You have time to let things sort out and figure out what, if anything needs to be done.

I would not treat them unless you are sure it is Ich. You just changed their environments and as plecodragon says, give the rams a couple days to see if they settle down. Treatment can be stressful too and no need to add more stress unless you know for sure they have Ich.

Do a Google search on Ich and learn what it is, what to look for, and how to treat. There are many threads on this sight that can also provide information.

Edit: here is a link to a good write-up.


If you do have Ich, there are several methods to treat. Methods include using salts, by temperature and with meds. Each has their pros and cons. Do your research and ask questions here on FL. Many people can help you.

 

Unfortunately the only thing I have on hand is Erythromycin. My daughter has had the flu for the past 5 days as well so I haven’t been able to get some more "just in case" meds. I was hoping they were just freaked out. But now with the Corys, I’m not so sure.

Sorry your daughter is sick!

Hopefully everyone feels better soon.

 

Sorry your daughter is sick!

Hopefully everyone feels better soon.

Thanks.

 

Don't stress on this. You have time to let things sort out and figure out what, if anything needs to be done.

I would not treat them unless you are sure it is Ich. You just changed their environments and as plecodragon says, give the rams a couple days to see if they settle down. Treatment can be stressful too and no need to add more stress unless you know for sure they have Ich.

Do a Google search on Ich and learn what it is, what to look for, and how to treat. There are many threads on this sight that can also provide information.

Edit: here is a link to a good write-up.


If you do have Ich, there are several methods to treat. Methods include using salts, by temperature and with meds. Each has their pros and cons. Do your research and ask questions here on FL. Many people can help you.

Thank you.

 

Ok guys. So, after coming home I’m now seeing what looks like Brown Algae all over the glass of the Ram tank. Looking it up, it sounds like this can be a massive problem for my fish. First question, should I remove the Rams and set up the quarantine tank? Second.... what do I do?

 

Ok guys. So, after coming home I’m now seeing what looks like Brown Algae all over the glass of the Ram tank. Looking it up, it sounds like this can be a massive problem for my fish. First question, should I remove the Rams and set up the quarantine tank? Second.... what do I do?

My apologies. The first thing I saw on diatoms was “Kill it before it kills!” Doesn’t seem to be that big of a problem. I’ve been trying to figure out which light was enough for this tank, at times running them both thinking neither are enough. So I’m sure that problem will get sorted out.

 

My apologies. The first thing I saw on diatoms was “Kill it before it kills!” Doesn’t seem to be that big of a problem. I’ve been trying to figure out which light was enough for this tank, at times running them both thinking neither are enough. So I’m sure that problem will get sorted out.

I'm pretty sure brown diatoms are pretty normal for new tanks, and harmless although unsightly. Glad you found some more information before you went nuclear on them!

 

My apologies. The first thing I saw on diatoms was “Kill it before it kills!” Doesn’t seem to be that big of a problem. I’ve been trying to figure out which light was enough for this tank, at times running them both thinking neither are enough. So I’m sure that problem will get sorted out.

I was leaving on the blue light in the evenings to poorly attempt a fading light in the tanks without dimmers. It caused a lot of brown algae. You can typically cut back on the blue light and the algae.

 

I'm pretty sure brown diatoms are pretty normal for new tanks, and harmless although unsightly. Glad you found some more information before you went nuclear on them!

Haha!

I was leaving on the blue light in the evenings to poorly attempt a fading light in the tanks without dimmers. It caused a lot of brown algae. You can typically cut back on the blue light and the algae.

I don’t use the blue light specifically for that reason. It’s a shame too cause it looks nice.

 

I was leaving on the blue light in the evenings to poorly attempt a fading light in the tanks without dimmers. It caused a lot of brown algae. You can typically cut back on the blue light and the algae.

Oh gosh, I didn't know this and have been doing that! I will have to go back in and change my settings again!

 

Haha!



I don’t use the blue light specifically for that reason. It’s a shame too cause it looks nice.

It does look nice! I was using it so my Betta could come out without the glare of the white light that seemed to bother him and my cat seeing him as clearly (the cat loves to chase the fish around the tank, the fish does not love this).

Unfortunately in some LED lighting the blue lights are always on with the white lights. Bleh.

Oh gosh, I didn't know this and have been doing that! I will have to go back in and change my settings again!

I had a crazy growth of algae in the tanks that have blue lights on more than the others and tried to figure it out.

One study, found that blue and red light slowed the growth for the first few days and then the algae adapts and growth speeds UP compared to white light alone:

http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/plantphysiol/42/8/1123.full.pdf