Ram Colors

[birdyman23]

Hi,

I have had a blue ram for almost a year and it has not colored up at all. I started out with four and this is the one I have left it eats regularly and spends most of its time hiding underneath the sponge filter. Is this normal behavior and coloration for a blue ram after a year?

[Totenkampf]

its possible it just has poor genetics or its a female, but if its hiding it may just be stressed. is there a bigger fish that picks on it? they normally dont hide if they are the only one.

[birdyman23]

its possible it just has poor genetics or its a female, but if its hiding it may just be stressed. is there a bigger fish that picks on it? they normally dont hide if they are the only one.

It is in a 55 gallon tank with 5 discus but they don't pay it any attention. It comes out to eat with them.

[mnemenoi]

Can you get us your water parameters? Ph, Nitrate, water temp? Rams are notoriously finicky when it comes to their parameters and usually show it by hiding and their colors washing out. Most sources suggest their natural habitat has a low Ph (6.5 and under, low TDS), little to no Nitrate (they are very sensitive to any Nitrate), and a temperature in the mid 80's (82-86 degrees, which is very high indeed). I see many sold and keepers are unaware of the difficulty in keeping this species. They have one relative, the Bolivian Ram, which does far better in a higher Ph, can deal with higher Nitrates and lower temps. They are not as pretty, but do far better in our water.

[Totenkampf]

i would think that if they are with discus that they would be pretty happy as far as the water parameters go, i kept gold rams with mine once upon a time. you should probably test and post them tho

[troy tucker]

IMO. Rams are much like Discus or Angels. if they are not happy their color will show that.
Is it dark or lite? showing reds? does its belly show pink? do you have a picture?