Golden Ram not doing so well.

bigfoot150

Superstar Fish
Dec 17, 2003
1,023
1
0
42
Alameda, Ca
Visit site
#1
I have a sick gold ram that has a sunken in belly and 2-3 large white bumps on his head. I suspect internal parasites and attribute the bumps on his head to nutrient deficency since he eats very little to nothing at all. The bumps are definately not ich.

I have had this ram in this 10gallon tank for about 4 months so I know it is not acclimation problems. Tank is cycled and has plants. I do bi-weekly water changes of 10% or more. PH is about 7.4-7.6 with nitrates at 0ppm. Tank mates include a small pleco, a guppy, an otto, and a single male apisto cacatuoides. Every one gets along good aswell. Apisto is a bit reclusive but definately eats the frozen foods.

Other than the fact that he has bumps on his head and a sunken belly he looks good. Also the rams overall demeanor is great. He comes out swims around and has decent color.

However, when it comes to feeding time he will not eat flake food or freeze dried tubifex worms. He will nibble on frozen bloodworms and brineshrimp but eventually spits them back out. He also seems more intent on eating my fingers instead of any food that I am holding.

I have attempted soaking bloodworms and brineshrimp with garlic feeding it to him twice but since he eats little there has been no change. I have also tried adding half a clove of garlic directly to the water allowing it to soak in the tank. Again this has not had any effect.

At this point I am not sure what treatments I need. Also concerned that the treatment may hurt the plants I have in the tank. Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

FroggyFox

Forum Manager
Moderator
May 16, 2003
8,589
10
38
42
Colorado
#2
I think I would be most concerned that he'll pass it on to tank mates...whatever it is. Would it be possible for you to move him to a hospital tank and try raising the temperature, adding a bit of salt? Have you tried any internal parasite medications?
 

bigfoot150

Superstar Fish
Dec 17, 2003
1,023
1
0
42
Alameda, Ca
Visit site
#3
No I have not tried any medications as I am not sure what I should be using. His tank mates seem to be ok at this point but they are a bit reclusive.

I actually fed them last night some frozen bloodworms and to my surprise his belly did not look as sunken in this morning and I actually saw him pooping for the first time since I purchased him. I am hoping that the garlic I added to the tank did the trick. **crosses fingers**
 

wayne

Elite Fish
Oct 22, 2002
4,077
3
0
#4
I'd press on with that. Golden rams are awfully inbred unfortunately so I wonder if the bumps are genetic, or a sign of old age. I'd be surprised if many make it much past a year total