Interesting to read this. I have heard the problems with blue rams
attributed to many things. I've never kept wild rams, but have always heard
they were hard to acclimate. Then there was a rumor/theory that most
commercially available rams were being bred in Asia, and that severe
inbreeding and use of hormones to "colorup" the fish were the major
problems. My experience many years ago with rams was that they were not
especially delicate. But, I lived where the water was naturally very soft
and slightly acidic (perfect discus water, they did great too!). The rams
lived fine and bred, although the fry were a bit hard to raise.
I got rams twice again, about five years ago and quickly failed with them
both times. The first ones never thrived, ate poorly, declined and died
over about three weeks. The second set (only two) seemed to do OK for about
two weeks, then both succumbed to some sort of dropsy/bloat. Haven't tried
them since. Can't be sure, because of the time gap and differing sources of
fish, but I think you are right about good stable water conditions being
crucial. Still, it does seem a little odd that after so many generations of
captive breeding they would be so hard to acclimate, so maybe the theories
about inbreeding are not completely wrong either.
"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message
...
probably attributed to your water source, ours is good, but fluctuations
are
a butch to deal with from season to season, and seems the local FS around
here have the same problem, we never see them, and the only one's I've had
are from reputable breeders... go figure..
"Flash Wilson" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 09:26:46 -0400, RedForeman ©®
wrote:
I tried my hand at Blue Rams twice, and each time, they developed some
sort
of illness, usually dropsy, and never could keep them healthy.... they
didn't transport well, arrived fragile, and never recouperated.... I oh
so
love Rams, Blues especially, but just can't keep them happy.... I know
my
water is good, tanks are healthy, but seems like they're just a
delicate
breed of fish or the quality of what I got are lacking...

I've been told they are delicate and sensitive to water quality
but mine have lived through a 13 hr power cut and a compromised
filter (ammonia got up to 1ppm, nitrite to 2ppm...) and various
other issues. They seem happy enough to me. Guess I'm lucky...


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