Balloon ram. What am I doing wrong?

[furrymurray]

I purchased 3 balloon rams about a week ago. One died 4 days later now the second one is sitting on the bottom of the tank breathing rapidly. Here is my set up. 58 gallon heavily planted with a fluval 305 filter. Tank mates are 4 black skirt tetras 3 red minor tetra 2 red flame rio tetra 1 other balloon ram 2 loaches

Tested my water with an api master kit. Results are:
Ammon 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5
Ph 7.8

Am I doing something wrong or maybe they are just bad stock? Any help would he appreciated.

 

[Tigroscr]

I would say they are probably bad stock and were possibly diseased when you got them, can you call the place where you got them do they offer any kind of guarantee on their fish?

 

[rich311k]

Sounds like a bad batch of rams, the balloons ones are even more delicate than the regular ones. How where they acclimated to your tank?

 

[furrymurray]

The LFS only has a 48 hr warranty on fish. I aaclimated them by floating them and slowly adding the aquarium water to the bag. I did this for about 45 minutes adding about 1/4 cup of water about every 5 minutes

 

[jetajockey]

This is the reason why I quit breeding rams, they are so touchy.

 

[furrymurray]

And the fish were so pretty . Does anyone have a suggestion for a good "wow" fish with my current set up that isnt so sensitive?

 

[jetajockey]

A pair of paradisefish would be my first choice, angelfish would probably work also.

 

[furrymurray]

Ok thanks for your help. The "sick" ram is still hanging in there so I will see how they do before I decide on another fish

 

[mfdrookie516]

Balloon fish are bred intentionally with a deformity to cause the 'balloon' look. This often leads to a more sensitive fish that lives a shorter life. But, blue rams seem to be very very touchy...

 

[fish-4-life]

you coud do bolivian rams. pretty but hrady.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Yeah Balloon Rams are more susceptible to illness because of the selective breeding and inbreeding it takes to express the gene that causes the balloon shape. GBR's are touchy as everyone says. If you want to try GBR's again, get the regular type, it just has a better gene pool (although there is quite a bit of inbreeding still, but at least not the deformity aspect of it). Bolivians are hardier but are just bland in color by comparison.

You can try Kribs. They have some nice coloration and are hardier than Rams. Not too pricey either.

 

[furrymurray]

I might look into kribbs since I have lost all three rams. That was $50 down the drain. I learned my lesson though

 

[BillD]

Sorry that you you lost your expensive fish. Stay away from fish that are bred for deformity, and you will have fewer problems.

 

[Owl307]

Ime ballon rams are so fragile they tend to die within two weeks of getting them. I wouldn't recomend them to anyone.

 

[furrymurray]

I wouldnt recommend them either. From now on I am going to ask for advice fromAA before buying a fish I am not familar with.