German blue rams typically lose their color because they’re inflicted with “ram disease,” a condition so-named because it primarily affects German blue rams. Other symptoms of this disease include:
- Sunken eyes
- Sunken or hollowed abdomen
- Bent tail or spine
- Ulcers and sores all over the body
- Loss of appetite
- Hiding most of the time
- Too weak to swim around
When you see a German blue ram with these symptoms, the best thing you can do is to contact a vet and quarantine the fish. However, most rams with these symptoms rarely recover, as they simply waste away.
This condition is primarily caused by inbreeding. Inbred German blue rams are weaker and more susceptible to various diseases. If possible, always source your fish from reputable breeders to avoid poor-quality German blue rams.