Gbr Female Dark And Inactive

hI all.

As some of you may know I purchased 3 German Blue Rams from a top breeder a few weeks ago.

I made a post about the male chasing the two smaller females from time to time which he still does, but has dropped off a lot to where I’d say it’s less than half the time and is not doing any damage to them physically.

So yesterday I couldn’t find the smaller of the two females. I had noticed over the past week how much more bland she has started to look in contrast to the other female, more brown with darker striping.
I finally found her tucked away in a plant, alive but unwilling to come out. I’ve since removed the plant because I didn’t really like it but she is now in one of the caves and is more dark than earlier in the week.
The other two GBRs (M/F) roam about the tank happily. The male is not bothering the reclusive female but also he doesn’t see her.
Biggest disclaimer here is a don’t have a quarantine tank or this fish would be going straight in. I don’t have “permission” to set it up, but am lobbying hard.
I’m wondering if some dynamic within the group developed where the male and female bonded closer and both turned on the smaller female. Importantly I want to stress the poor thing is getting ZERO harassment and has perfect fins aside from a dark body coloration. When she hides she is usually resting part of her lower fin/body on the ground so that makes me think it’s not just broody or territorial behavior but something else awry. Maybe not getting to the food? I think I’ve seen her eat before. I should mention when I got home before lights on she was not in a cave but on the bottom of the tank still. Didn’t catch a picture in time.
Other two GBRs have beautiful coloration and explore the tank together.

Sorry for long post.
TL,DR: one female GBR has no activity and dark coloration hiding whenever lights are on l tank mates are two other GBRs, male and female. Introduced at the same time from the same breeder 2weeks ago.

 

This is common. GBR's pair up and usually kill the third wheel.

 

This is common. GBR's pair up and usually kill the third wheel.

If this is so cut and dry which I admit it sure looks like it is, why are they not being aggressive to her at all even when she’s not in the cave? I’m home all night and will be observing.
Does she “know” she’s the odd one out and is now hiding? Wouldn’t I see her try to swim around and then get shunned again? She doesn’t even venture out.
Is there any possibility she is broody?

 

Yes she does, and theyre harassing her when you're not looking. She doesn't venture out because she doesn't want to be attacked.

 

Ok thank you.
And what about the dark coloration and dull appearance?

 

Ok thank you.
And what about the dark coloration and dull appearance?

That would be from stress.

 

Ok I called an experienced local fish store and I’m going to take her there in some tank water.
I guess I also wondered how much was this $&#hole male ram and how much was the pair being bonded, wondering if it was only a matter of time until the next female gets shunned.
But she seems happy and in good spirits. She is the slightly larger of the two females.

 

Ok I called an experienced local fish store and I’m going to take her there in some tank water.
I guess I also wondered how much was this $&#hole male ram and how much was the pair being bonded, wondering if it was only a matter of time until the next female gets shunned.
But she seems happy and in good spirits. She is the slightly larger of the two females.

Normally when fish bond, it’s for life so you probably shouldn’t worry about him harming the females he’s with.

Are you giving it to the pet store? Or are you able to take her home when you want?

 

I did give her to them... thankfully a young lady there liked her a lot and is taking her home. I didn’t get a picture because I was so distracted but I noticed a pink area on her left side a little smaller than a dime, like a rash. Nothing gory or missing, but some kind of irritation in her side. Coincidentally or not that’s where the male would stick his face on them. Can a fish bite result in surrounding redness or “pinkness”?

 

Rams will become stressed if their living conditions aren’t literally perfectly ideal. Rams are tough to keep alive

 

Rams will become stressed if their living conditions aren’t literally perfectly ideal. Rams are tough to keep alive

Like social conditions? Because the other two are thriving, and I’m providing one of the better environments out there in my humble opinion.
When it comes to fish on fish injuries, I’m wondering if it has a pinkness radius to it? Or if pinkness in a radius has another explanation?

 

Water parameters and social conditions. Rams are not easy fish.

Glad you found someone to take her, it was only a matter of time. Especially if she has a noticeable injury.