Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 01:54:33 PM

Title: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 01:54:33 PM
Hi Folks,

Can anyone help me identify these abnormal marks on a male German Blue Ram (GBR)? I do apologize for the quality of the attached photograph but the fish wouldn't stay still. Apart from the marks, this Ram is healthy in all respects - normal behaviour, normal eating, etc.

Thanks in advance.

JPC
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 14, 2019, 02:15:37 PM
Hard to tell from the photo... is the one on top like a white dot? (Possibly white spot... but dont panic) The one on the side is that pinkish and larger? (I'm thinking ulcer)

Are they raised?
Do they look fluffy? (Fungus)
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 04:16:47 PM
Hard to tell from the photo... is the one on top like a white dot? (Possibly white spot... but dont panic) The one on the side is that pinkish and larger? (I'm thinking ulcer)

Are they raised?
Do they look fluffy? (Fungus)

Hi Matt,

The one at the base of the dorsal fin is not a white dot and it is not white spot. It's beige in colour, points upwards and looks like it's part of the fin. The other mark is at the base of both pectoral fins and, again, it is beige in colour. Unlike the one on top, it is a patch. None of these are raised or fluffy. The female GBR has none of these marks. They have appeared on the male within the last couple of weeks.

JPC
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 14, 2019, 07:22:30 PM
Is the fish 'flashing'/rubbing against objects?
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 14, 2019, 09:32:22 PM
Is the fish 'flashing'/rubbing against objects?

Hi Matt,

Not rubbing against objects. Not sure what is meant by 'flashing'.

JPC
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 14, 2019, 09:56:14 PM
Must admit I'm struggling with this one... but I'm certainly not the best on here at diagnosing stuff like this. Im sure one of the others will be along soon... sorry i cant be of more help!

One thing that is always good for a poorly fish is more frequent water changes to ensure the cleanest possible water to aid recovery. I would being this asap in the mean time while we try and work thigs out...
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Littlefish on January 16, 2019, 08:43:47 AM
I'm not sure if I'm going to be any help here, especially as I don't have rams, but was wondering if the scales look normal around/on the patch by the dorsal fins? I've had a quick look around some other sites but find anything similar. As the patch bay the pectorals is on both sides, I'm wondering if it is possible for slight colour changes to develop on these fish. Does the beige bit by the dorsal fin look the same on the other side?

How are your water parameters?  How is the general health of the other fish in your tank?

I think it's good that his behaviour is still normal, and I agree with Matt that water changes would be a good idea until we can work out what the problem is here. Also, keep a very close eye on him and keep us updated on the situation.
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: fcmf on January 16, 2019, 01:23:20 PM
The one at the base of the dorsal fin is not a white dot and it is not white spot. It's beige in colour, points upwards and looks like it's part of the fin. The other mark is at the base of both pectoral fins and, again, it is beige in colour. Unlike the one on top, it is a patch. None of these are raised or fluffy. The female GBR has none of these marks. They have appeared on the male within the last couple of weeks.
JPC

I've never had rams either but I have had fish with what you describe. I had a goldfish who damaged his dorsal fin on decor and who had a permanent 'scar' as though two of the dorsal fin rays fused together when they healed. He learned/adapted to live with this and was fine. However, that may not be what's happened here, though.

I've had a tropical fish with a problem at the base of the pectoral fins whereby they became inflamed - I've never been certain why this occurred but I think it may have been connected with damage to the caudal peduncle area and basically having to move the pectoral fins more than usual to maintain buoyancy.

In that respect, it's possible that your ram may have damaged the dorsal fin and been compensating for this by over-using the pectoral fins, in turn causing a swelling-type reaction. Having said that, there are probably countless other explanations. As others have said, given the normal behaviour, I think only time will tell - either it won't be problematic and the fish will live with it, or it will heal with the benefit of increased water changes to maximise that, or the situation will deteriorate but we might have a better idea by then from your description of the possible cause and what to treat for.

Hope that helps, of sorts.
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 25, 2019, 11:44:28 AM
Hi Matt, fcmf and Littlefish,

I must apologize for not having replied to your most recent posts. I don't know how I managed to miss them. My wife and I have been so busy looking after their 41 offspring, which are now just over six months old. Anyway - good news - my male GBR is now fine. The mark at the base of the dorsal fin has disappeared and I reckon that the other 'marks' on the pectoral fins were not marks at all - just a slight change in his colouration.

Thanks for all your help.

JPC  :fishy1: :fishy1: :fishy1: :fishy1: :fishy1: and 36 more juveniles!
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 25, 2019, 12:25:31 PM
Would love to see some photos @jaypeecee  :cheers:
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Littlefish on January 25, 2019, 01:31:57 PM
Great to hear that your GBR is looking better.
I'd love to see some pics of the babies.  ;D
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 29, 2019, 01:36:23 PM
Hi Folks,

Well, I will not win any prizes for aquarium photography but the attached picture will at least give an idea as to what these beauties look like. The parents spawned on 4 July (Independence Day) last year. So, they are no longer babies. At almost seven months young, I think that puts them in the juvenile category. I reckon there are approximately half of them in the picture shown, the other half being elsewhere in the tank. We plan to give some to the Bracknell Aquarist Society where my wife and I are members. And Maidenhead Aquatics have offered to take some off our hands.

JPC
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 08:00:08 PM
Congratulations that's a real success story  :cheers:

They look very healthy :)
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 08:12:07 PM
Amazing, and great to see that they are doing well.  :afro
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 08:16:06 PM
I must admit to having just a)had to Google where Bracknell is, b)hoping it's nearby so I can try and take some of them off your hands also... unfortunately we are at opposite ends of the country   ::)
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: jaypeecee on January 29, 2019, 09:55:14 PM
Hi Matt & Littlefish,

Thanks for the feedback. They are indeed very healthy. Their tank water is monitored very closely and we ensure their nutritional needs are met. We're pretty chuffed as they are not easy to raise. If anyone is tempted to breed them, I am happy to give some advice.

JPC
Title: Re: Abnormal Marks On Male GBR
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 10:31:51 PM
You've done so well, not only with the fish breeding, but also to have such a great success rate with the offspring. They're so cute.   ;D