Dwarf Chichlids Heavy Breathing & Black Eyes

[JK47]

I have a 2 year old German Blue Ram that up until tonight has been very happy and healthy. When I got home she was on the bottom breathing very heavily and her eyes are almost solid black. I have had this happen to two other rams and one apisto over the years and none survived.

Has anyone else ever experienced this with dwarf chichlids? Apisto's, Rams etc...? What could it be? I have not done anything different, no new fish, 2x per week 30% water change (last one was Monday night)

Tank: 46 Gallon planted with amazon swords
Mates: 3 Sterbea Corydoras, 2 Kuhli Loches, 1 bristlenose Pleco.
Temp: 82 degrees
Ammonia: 0 PPM
Nitrite: 0 PPM
Nitrate 25 PPM

 

[Lupin]

Do you realize blue rams are shortlived, JK? Blue rams deteriorate as they age. I've seen mine pass away like yours. They don't live for more than two years as a result. What test kit are you using?

 

[JK47]

Do you realize blue rams are shortlived, JK? Blue rams deteriorate as they age. I've seen mine pass away like yours. They don't live for more than two years as a result. What test kit are you using?

Lupin, I am using API drop test kit. I know she is at her max life expentency but the main reason I was asking is because the other two I lost where only about 6 months to 1 year max old but had the same symtoms. They are really sensitive fish.

Just curious if anyone else had expeienced the same as I have. PH is always 7.6 straight from the tap and I have never used any softeners. Could this be causing the deaths? I know that is a bit hight for rams, what PH do you keep your in?

 

[Lupin]

My pH was also 7.6 but my KH is high at 8 so not an issue. How long did you keep the blue ram? Are you sure it is two years old then?

 

[JK47]

This one is the oldest of the rams I have. The first I actually bought and it was around my birthday (May 19th) in 2007 so she is a couple weeks shy since I have had her. Not sure how old she was when I got her. Very small though so I can't imagine very old. The others were additions to "her" tank.

She is dark brown and scraping across the bottom with very little movement right now. I am thinking some mercy is in order tonight. Bummer......