Whats Wrong With My Gourami?

RandallW20

I've had this neon blue Dwarf Gourami for about 2 months now. And lately he's been hiding out more than he used to. He don't even come out to eat when I feed neither. I was thinking it was cause of my female green sword who thinks she runs the tank but I took her out and put her in my quarantine tank yesterday morning.
Well, he now comes out from behind the stump and hangs out in the dim background in the plants (where he used to) either facing straight up, down, or he leans over slightly on his side. He just dont seem very happy..... Heck, my Blue Ram that I got recently is doing great and so are all the other fish, I just dont know whats wrong...

We named him Bubbles / Eeyore (like the donkey on Winnie the Pooh) because he has his personality but now lately he just seems REALLY depresed....

Is this normal behaviour for them???

Heres my tank readings from today....
Temp 80*
Ammonia 0 ppm
Nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 10 ppm (its always this....)
pH 8.0

Tank inhabitants
2 female velvet swords, male green sword, female green sword (currently in another tank), peppered cory, german Blue Ram, and 4 cardinal tetras.

Thanks Everyone!

RandallW20

oh, I added some API pH down to try and bring that pH down to 7.0 for them. Its always been a little high (but the fish have been thriving) now that I have that Blue Ram I want to make extra sure that the pH is perfect. I'm only adding a little at a time, I dont want to drop it too fast....

Freddiesbuns

In my experience the products to lower ph tends to do more harm than good, because of the constant ph fluctuation (without constant dosages the ph will go up after a while) stresses the fishes. Gouramis needs lower ph than 8, that's for sure, and also rams and tetras. Maybe peat filtering? I use peat in my tank because I also have high ph and it works wonder, you change it every 1-2 months and the ph stays stable.

catfishtabbi

Are those lumps on his head and face ? A hole ? Swollen tissue around the eyes ? Have a look at drsmith&fosters medication guide for fish. Read the symptoms section and compare what you can.I'm sorry but that poor fish looks like hes already dead. Hurry with some meds.

RandallW20

No, no lumps and sores. That's just light reflection.
He actually looks healthy, really healthy, that why I'm so confused.......

RandallW20

Nevermind, he died early this morning.....
I went by the fish place to get another before the fiance got back home and we have come to believe that maybe he had some intestinal blockage since he looked fine. This morning his tummy looked a little larger than normal.

I think maybe he was sick to begin with possibly, cause we picked him cause he was just chillin' and didn't seem to aggressive like the others were chasing each other around. I picked another one up (he's acclimating now) that had more vigor to him, so hopefully it will work out.....

I hated to see him die, him and my Blue Ram are my two fav's.....