Blue Rams.

[adriansp]

I've kept a 400 Ltr Amazonian Bio tank for around 18 months stocked with Dwarf Cichlids mostly. Not had many problems other that I am unable to keep Blue Rams for more than about 8-10 weeks without them dying. Water perameters and quality are all fine and have even had a pair that bred. Any suggestions as to why they seem not to last? My LFS suggested that Blue Rams thrive better in smaller tanks, but I'm sceptical about this. Any ideas please?

 

[Cathy G]

Try treating them with flubendazole or fenbendazole. These can be used externally, or you could try food soaked in a solution of Metronidazole. (Metro+, distributed by Hikari, dissolve a pinch in a tiny bit of warm water and soak their food). Feed 5 days 2-3 times/day.

Rams seem to be infected with internal protozoa/parasite infections. They waste away... I've had good luck taking a pro-active approach and treating them while they are still in QT.

Cathy
PS Here is a link to some articles about the medicines I mentioned.
http://www.inkmkr.com/fish

 

[Mike Wise]

If possible, buy your Rams from a local breeder. Commercially bred Rams have a notorious reputation for short lifespans.

 

[Apistomaster]

I assume Rams are sick when I buy them and use the same meds as Cathy G. I even buy my meds from Charles Harrrison, same as she.
I saturate Tetra Color Bits in Hikari PraziPro and feed them the medicated food, all they will eat, once a day for up to one month.

Then I try to raise their replacements ASAP, using the artificial hatching method.
It is really common for those SE Asian Rams to die after spawning a time or two.
If you can't find them locally raised then buy them as small as you can. They don't have long life spans and if you buy large showy specimens they don't have very much of their life span left.
In my experience, Rams usually only live about 2-1/2 years. I think of them in much the same way I do annual Killiefish. They burn bright and hot but not for all that long.