Rapid Breathing....help!

hello, I have a 10 g with a pair of golden rams, internal filter, air stone, ph-7.5, nitrates40ppm, temp 78 f, for last week my male has been rapidly breathing and as of 2 days ago stopped eating and his color is very dull now, I see no evidence of flukes or any other signs of disease, anyone have any ideas on why this happening? By the way the female is thriving.

 

He should be in a 20g

 

HI & welcome. Your nitrate levels are a bit high at 40ppm, ideally they should be no higher that 20. What are your ammonia & nitrite & Ph readings like? When did you last do a good water change? If it's been a while I'd do one immediately to lower the nitrates & see if that helps the ram.

 

Did 10% on the 8th and another 10% yesterday, I’ll try a larger water change today. Thank you

 

How's the Ram doing?

 

A bit better did a 40% water change yesterday, offered some frozen brine shrimp today, sadly still not eating. Thanks for asking