Behavior Issue

[airstone92]

Hi- One of my dwarf gouramis just sits at the top of the tank looking at the heater the whole day. I know he's still alive because occaisonally he'll swim around. But my questions is why wont he eat. Ive tried everything from flakes to brine shrimp and he still wont eat.

Is this suspicious?

Steve

 

[darkleo]

How old is your dwarf?

 

[dwarfgourami]

If you've got more than one male dwarf, it is possible that the other guy has staked out the rest of the tank as his territory and he's being bullied.

Or he could be ill- a lot of dwarf gouramis carry an incurable virus that I keep forgetting the name of.

Some dwarfs are also naturally timid.

 

[airstone92]

I have one male and one female. Both were bought at a LFS. They look not to be more than 5 to 6 months old. The male is the one just staying in the top corner though. He didnt eat again today.

Thanks again
Steve

 

[WILDER]

Any signs of flicking and rubbing against objects,
Check the gills over to see if there red and inflamed, or pale with excess mucas on them.
Is the fish thin or bloated.
What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.
Check the anus to see if its red and inflamed or enlarged.
Does the fish spit the food out.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Have to agree, it does sound like illness. Many dwarf gouramis, sadly, are carriers of an incurable virus.

 

[airstone92]

RIP my dwarf gourami!! It died yesterday

Thanks for all of the help though
Steve

 

[WILDER]

Bless him R.I.P.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Sorry to hear this. Sadly, this is so common an occurrence that Practical Fishkeeping Magazine are actually warning against buying dwarf gouramis. We've had many members on the forum reporting the same symptoms, with the same outcome.

 

[airstone92]

Must've been infected with the same disease.. My other one died! I think Im done with dwarf gouramis for now.

thanks for the help again
Steve