German Blue Ram not feeling well...

[Bearitone]

Hello,

I bought a german blue ram for my 55 gallon tank a little over 2 weeks ago. I had read they were temperamental but I had an established 10 gallon with 2 platys to keep it cycled. I brought home the GBR and let him acclimate to the 10 gallon and moved the platys to the large tank. At first he was a little shy but was already eating at the end of the first day. The tanks decor wasn't particularly exciting so he mostly spent his time hovering around and watching me when I got close to the glass. He was eating flakes quickly and appeared really happy.

After 2 weeks I decided he would be great in my 55 gallon. It doesn't have any plants yet but lots of lace rock and driftwood making some great caves. When I moved him over he hung out near the bottom sort of curious and I went to work rescaping the 10 gallon for an upcoming shrimp tank. I worked for quite a while and didn't really pay much attention to the GBR. I looked later and he was sitting at the bottom of the tank, fins tight, and respirating rapidly. I tested the water and had 0 ammonia, 0 nirites, < 1 ppm nitrates. I figured maybe he was just really stressed because of the new environment so I turned out the lights for the rest of the night and hoped he would relax.

It has been 3 days now and I am somewhat worried. He spends most of his time hidden with the same behavior. I don't think putting him back in the 10 gallon would really help because it has completely changed and I fear it will just stress him even more to change environments again.

I tested the water again this morning and ammonia and nitrites are still 0, nitrates were still almost unreadable. Tank mates are 6 black phantom tetras, 4 angels(on the small side, largest is less than a half-dollar coin), 3 platy, and 4 julii corydoras. None of the other fish seem to have harassed him or anything like that. Temp in both tanks was 79, so I don't think it was temperature shock. I feel awful, he was beginning to show some amazing color and was so happy...

any advice on what I can do for him?

[cinmike]

I'm no expert with GBR But I do have 12 of them divided between 2 tanks.
One thing I try to do is keep the PH low and try to give them the softest water I can and I keep the water alittle warmer around 82. If all your testing comes up 0 or real close to it the PH and softness shouldn't be an issue.
One thing I would consider would be getting another GBR so he/she has a buddy. It's hard to really get the full affect of GBR without watching them in action flareing there fins and butting heads ( they won't hurt each other ).
I have always noticed with all my rams that they don't interact with other fish but they will with there own kind.
Good luck Rams are a wonderful fish.

[vegas2k]

only thing I can think of is, between your two tanks, their pH is probably different, because of the driftwood. have you tested the pH of both tanks as well?

[Bearitone]

Might have changed since I rescaped the 10g but as of now they are maybe .2 difference, if that.

Is that enough to cause such serious issues?

Is there anything I can do?

[Bearitone]

I don't mean to double post but,

It's weird, I kind of panicked and put him back in the 10g. At first he hid behind the filter sponge not moving. Then I saw him move to the bottom of the tank. I have seen him in a few different places and moments ago he was hoving around a little. He definitely seems a little perked up now, but I am unsure of what exactly is causing his distress in the other tank. He is still a little sluggish but not quite as grim.