Ram not eating and is breathing heavily

[Leipo]

My male Ram hasn't eaten since last monday, so that's almost a week now
He is breathing heavily and moves slow, sometimes he hangs at the surface and other times he hangs on some leaves or the gravel.
He doesn't clamp any fins and he hasn't lost any color: from the outside he looks fine :?

what can this be? all the other fish (including my female Ram) seem to be a 100% OK and he is the only one breathing heavily.

 

[Randall]

Sick Microgeophagus ramirezi

Dear Leipo,

From your description, it's difficult to know exactly what is going on with your Microgeophagus ramirezi, but it doesn't sound good.

If he hasn't eaten for nearly a week now, there may not be much you can do. My concern is some intestinal protazoa, but this is merely a guess. It might be a good idea to watch the other fish in the tank very closely.

Sorry, I can't be of more help.

All the best,

Randall Kohn

 

[Leipo]

Well it was too late: he died today :cry:
hopefully my female will not get the same, whatever that may be...

 

[Randall]

RIP

Dear Leipo,

So sorry to read about your fish. Perhaps the following will prove helpful.

Please watch your other cichlids for abdominal bloat, poor coloration, lack of appetite and long, white stringy feces. These symptoms are consistant with intestinal protazoa. The recommended treatment is Metronidazol.

Good luck!

All the best,

Randall Kohn