[RackinRocky]

I have ordered a pair of GBRs from a well known breeder with an excellent reputation. I finally got up the nerve to try them. I've wanted one or two for a long time. I got an email today that they will be shipped tomorrow, and that they will be very hungry from their trip and after no food for five days, they will be weak. Oh dear... I am nervous to begin with--these will be my first, and I know they are sensitive, so this scared me.

My PH is exactly the same as the breeder's, so I'm hoping this will make things easier on the fish. But, the main point of this post is that the breeder recommends I put Paragard (Seachem) or Melafix in my tank. I called all around, and no one around here has either one. Luckily, I have an order coming in though that will include Prazi Pro.

I emailed the breeder, and asked him if I could use Prazi Pro instead, and he answered, "No problem." Do you agree with this? Or would you go ahead and get one of the others? I can buy it online, but it would take longer to get here than the fish, and overnight shipping is outrageous! Any other suggestions would be appreciated too, as I've never had GBRs before, and am very nervous. Anything to help them with the transition to my tanks? I know about drip acclimating and keeping the lights off for 24 hours. Oh, almost forgot to ask! How long should I use the Prazi Pro? One time only, or several days??? Thank you!

 

[Mikaila31]

You should not need to treat them.... 5 days w/o food does not make fish weak. GBR are not as sensitive as claimed its more just really inbred/weak stock thats sold by a lot of chain stores and wholesalers.

 

[jaysee]

You should not need to treat them.... 5 days w/o food does not make fish weak. GBR are not as sensitive as claimed its more just really inbred/weak stock thats sold by a lot of chain stores and wholesalers.

Agreed on all counts.

However, if it's something you want to do - prophylactically treat for parasites - then I'm not going to say anything to stop you because I don't think it's inherently a bad idea.

 

[Cichlidsrule102]

I see no problem with it. BTW most fish can go at least a couple of weeks without food and be just fine, some can even go for months!

 

[jaysee]

Most can go for several months without food.

 

[Austin]

Yay! I can't wait to see your GBR and hear how they do!

I don't know much about those medicines so I won't comment but I don't think they will be that weak from not eating for 5 days like people have said. good luck!!

 

[RackinRocky]

Thanks everyone! I've decided not to treat them with anything after hearing what you guys had to say. I don't know why the seller would tell me they will be weak--I had thought a fish would be fine for a few days without food. But I think he meant to say that the shipping along with no food would be a little hard on them. They are babies after all.

Yes, Austin, I'm finally doing it! They should be here Wednesday and I'm a nervous wreck!

 

[Austin]

Well if he said to treat them, make sure there wasn't a real reason (does he have disease/parasite problems?) and not just preventative before you take the risk of not treating them. I think it's a bit odd he would tell you to treat them, but he may just be over cautious. I would be a bit uncomfortable if, for example, the lady I got my angelfish from told me I needed to treat them.

Aww babies how cute they may indeed be fragile then but hopefully okay! They are old enough to be a pair, right??
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[RackinRocky]

I received them today. They arrived overnight, which was what I was hoping for, as the breeder is so close to me. Yes, I think he was just being overly cautious. They look fabulous. I decided not to treat them. When stressed, I understand its easier for things like fungus, bacterial infections, etc. to pop up. But when I saw them, I knew they were fine. Both are very active.

I had a heck of a time getting the male out of the breather bag, as he was"stuck" in the folds of the bag. I was panicking, as he was out of the water for a minute or so, but finally came out. The female dropped right out. I knew she was the female, as she has spots in her black spot, and a pink belly! I was afraid I'd have trouble telling the sexes apart, but it was easy, since I read all I could on it, and it was obvious. Wow, their color surprised me more than anything. He uses no hormones, and breeds them himself. I expected them to be washed out from the stress of shipping, but if this is their stress coloring, they are going to be drop dead gorgeous when they color up!

At first the male laid on top of my fake plants that are my top cover, and I thought he was a goner. I went back ten minutes later, and he was behind the moss, just hanging in the water. A half hour after that, he was swimming around. The female has not stop swimming and exploring since I released her. (I drip acclimated for 45 minutes). I didn't expect them to be so active when he had said they would be "weak," so I'm overjoyed. In fact, I half expected them to be dead or near it when I opened the box!

I realize blue rams can drop dead suddenly for no reason, so I'm trying not to keep my hopes up too high. But for now, they have no clamped fins and are very active. I will offer them a little bit of thawed bloodworm tonight.

I got a few pictures, but the coloring is just not showing up as much as real life. Yes, they're old enough to be a pair--and the coloring is obvious as to their sexes. I will get better pics later, but until then...
First and second are of the girl, third is of the boy, hiding, so it was hard to get a good pic. Will get better ones later.

 

[Agent13]

They're beautiful ! This here is why I love rams from breeders . My 2 electric blues are from a breeder and their colors are brilliant.


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[RackinRocky]

Thank you, Agent! I'm delighted with them. And yes, just the thought of them being injected with hormones to color them up makes me feel sick. I am so glad I got them from a breeder. They've had a good beginning, and hopefully will have a much better chance of doing well for me than getting them from a pet shop who is only concerned with pretty colors so they can sell more fish.