Abnormal Marks On Male GBR

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)

Is the fish 'flashing'/rubbing against objects?

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...

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.

Would love to see some photos @jaypeecee 

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

Amazing, and great to see that they are doing well. 

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