Gbr Not Looking Great

[Fraoch]

I bought a pair of gbrs on wednesday and they just constantly fought in the QT tank (about them fighting) so i moved the male(the one being bullied) into the main tank 24hrs ago. He just didnt look great after a few hours with clamped fins and pale colours when he had looked fine in the Qt. I tested the water last night and it was ammonia 0, nitrite 0, ph 6.6 and nitrate 40ppm. I realised that the nitrate was too high for him so ive done a 40% Wc. Hes still not looking great though. Could he be missing his girl even though they were fighting? should i put her in with him?

 

[tkdjr1186]

GBRs are notoriously hard to keep even in the most perfect of water conditions. I would take them back and get some Bolivian Rams. Not as colorful but more hardy.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

GBR's do best in soft (low GH), acidic, low nitrate water with temperature between 27 and 29.

The change in any or all of these parameters during the move probably caused the change in his health.

Did you acclimatise him properly in the move from one tank to the other? That is, did you put him in a container of the old tank water and gradually over time add some of the new tank water, just as if you'd just bought him?

 

[Fraoch]

I knew they were hard to keep but i thought i would give them a try
I did acclimatise him for about an hour an a half very slowly. I dont really have the option to return them, i live really far from my lfs so im going to have to try and keep him going Also would you suggest moving the female in or leaving her where she is? thanks

oh and the temp is at 81 F

 

[Fraoch]

He is looking slightly better now, not clamping his fins so much. Is there anything else i can do to make him feel better? thanks

 

[Fraoch]

Im scared he might have internal parasites, his belly looks a little bit sunken in at the back end...maybe its just me looking for problems though

His poop is now white(not stringy). I am going to try and find some medicated food and medicine for internal parasites ...