Dead Ram Fry

[Cathy G]

Well poop,

I had a huge die off. There are still some stragglers, but man, the little buggers went fast. They all seemed to congregate at the top of the water, along the silicone corners. I had a large hunk of moss at the bottom of the little tank and a few hung out by the moss, but most did not.

I fed microworms and infusoria and the bbs will be ready tonight for any survivors. The problem seemed to be that the fry hung out at the top and all the food sunk to the bottom. The fry did not seem at all interested and the worms just floated by and sunk to the bottom where they wiggled and died.

I did do waterchanges, but perhaps not enough? (I was afraid to remove the infusoria...)

Geesh.

Cathy

 

[nightowl1350]

Sorry to hear that.

I wonder if they were just too small and weak. I had a small portion of my last spawn do that and when I did w/c some of the tiny fry stuck to the glass. I use an airline to remove the waste of the bottom so the water didn't drain at a very fast pace

In my case it was a huge spawn and the lost fry is not a problem. I still have about 60 or more left.

Try again and make sure the pair is well fed with brine shrimp, blood worms or other high protein foods (I also feed frozen beefheart I prepare, but that was made for my angel fish juvies)

Good luck with the next spawn.

 

[IndianaSam]

Cathy,

That just stinks! Have any of them survived?

What kind of filtration did you have? I think I remember you mentioning a sponge filter in one of our conversations. Was it cycled?

Sam

 

[Cathy G]

Hey Sam, it is nice to hear from you. I just had a bubbler/airstone going at that point and was doing lots of water changes. After a couple of weeks I was going to move them into a 10g.

I since discovered that there is some ammonia in that tank. So, it very well could be all my fault. I was trying to get them to eat so I probably over fed them. What is weird is that I still have ammonia even though I have done nearly 100% water changes for 2 days. (They are in a 2.5 g so that isn't that much water!)

I am now wondering if there was something in the willow moss I put in, I took a huge hunk of it back out this morning, and will continue testing. There are 2 survivors eating bbs shrimp now. I am wondering if I want to go through all the work for 2 fish, however I probably will because it will be better to learn proper care with 2 fish, instead of a 100!

Hopefully my rams will spawn again soon so all my bbs won't go to waste. I am excited to hear how your rams are doing and how this latest spawn will do.

Cathy

 

[Cathy G]

It was the MOSS!!

Well, I have been totally exasperated by my husbandry efforts. Water changes all over the place only to still have ammonia. I just tested the big hunk of willow moss in a bowl of RO. Surprise surprise - the clean water and moss have tested possitive for ammonia! The hunk of moss sure looked healthy, but it just killed off my ram fry. Can't believe it!

Cathy

 

[IndianaSam]

Well, I have been totally exasperated by my husbandry efforts. Water changes all over the place only to still have ammonia. I just tested the big hunk of willow moss in a bowl of RO. Surprise surprise - the clean water and moss have tested possitive for ammonia! The hunk of moss sure looked healthy, but it just killed off my ram fry. Can't believe it!

Cathy

Wow. At least you know it wasn't exactly your fault. Also the fry that have survived must be super-fry!

Always gotta look on the bright side.

Raise the remaining fry and then give 'er another try when you pair spawns again.

 

[nightowl1350]

Plants are normally great for fry. See if you can get some java moss or java fern. I have both in my fry tank.

You mentioned an airstone....that is not the same as a cycled sponge filter. Sure hope there was a filter in there to. If the current from the filter is too strong the fry tire easily and it can kill them.

Just a few ideas to help for the next time.

 

[apistoireland]

Hi Cathy
there is no need to feed infusoria. Young ram can take brineshrimp as a first food. You mentioned a well cycled sponge filter. There should be plenty of infusoria on it anyway so no need to add any extra. Java moss is a good plant for any tank with fry. Very little light required and the fish can shelter in it. Definetly go for a few snails as a clean up crew but avoid big apple snails. Should it die in your tank it will start rotting very quickly and that will kill any fry.