Hi all.

I bought 2 chocolate gouramis from my local store and the next day one died. The other one was fine, I decided it was probably on it's way out, and called the shop owner who replaced the original dead fish.

Now the new one is also looking decidely peaky, it is diging holes in the pea gravel and lingering in them.
The other one is swimming fine.

I think they are both male (hard to tell as they are young fish about 1" in length from tail end to nose) as they are acting rather territorial, chasing each other out of their respective ends of the aquarium...

Is the new fish also about to croak?

The tank 110 L is a fraction over 75 degrees (i have no idea on the PH!) and the other companions are neon tetras and glowlight tetras.
Thanks

Jen

Chocolate Gouramis are very sensitive fish so It's probably stress and a new home that killed the other.

Hmm, yeah I guessed that.

I have upped the temp in the tank by a degree and so far that seems to have done the trick.

Next move is to get some frozen bloodworm (i don't fancy trying to feed them live stuff?!) so they don't starve themselves to death.

Think the glowlight tetra's are bullying them a bit, so some more hiding places are next on the list...

Any other ideas?

Jen

Got choc gourami's in a planted tank (heavily planted with floating plants), the only other fish in there are some dwarf rasboras and a killi and bn.

The peat in the tank seems to have been a deciding factor in the water quality as I've not had trouble since I got them about 4 months ago as small fish.

If you can give them floating plants or hiding places and possibly get some IAL or black water extract that may help them a bit.

All i would suggest is to turn the lights out and get some floating plant cover asap. Even if you have to make a few woollen spawning mops and plonk them in the top of the tank. Anything to provide security.

These fish thrive in an acidic environment with little water flow or turbulence.

In the wild they live in very soft water (0.5dH), temp ~30 degrees C, pH 5.5. Tank water can be kept above 25C.

They like live food so if he makes it through the shock of introduction to the tank some live food would be a nice treat.

Any form of humic substances in the tank will help too - bogwod, blackwater extract, indian almond leaves etc.

Water quality needs to be excellent, with the water changes done quickly without disturbing the tank too much. I would recommend 10-20% weekly.

Good luck...

Thanks everyone,

I have some bogwood soaking as we speak, planning to get it into the tank by Xmas eve.

Shall endevour to get some floating cover for him.

I cannot get hold of live food, but got some frozen bloodworm which perked him up.

maybe his friend is of stronger constitution!

He is swimming well and his fins are up... will try and get e decent picture for you all soon.


intorduced a new cory today to clean up a bit, he seems happy too!

Jen

Hope this works...