Bloated Gourami

[aquila]

Tank size: 90 litres, three year old tank, well established
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
Tank temp: 26c

Fish symptoms: Bloated stomach area (no pineconing of scales as yet), very 'pinched in' further back, hiding in corners and behind plants, lethargy, slight colour loss, lack of appetite. Looked a bit thin and pinched last week, bloating has started in the last 24 hours.

Volume and frequency of water changes: 20% every two weeks

Chemical additives or media in your tank: None except for low doses of plant fertiliser

Tank inhabitants: Two blue male dwarf gouramis, five black phantom tetras, one angel

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): One juvenile angelfish - about one inch from tip to tip, from a reputable source

Exposure to chemicals: None. Added Melafix as a precaution at the usual dose

Digital photo (include if possible):

Do we think dropsy or dwarf gourami disease? No sign of lesions anywhere that might indicate DGD. Both gouramis are about 10-12 months old and only one is showing symptoms.

 

[WILDER]

Looks bloated.
Epson salt baths to help draw the fluids out.
If you can issolate could try a bacterial med.
Where does he look sunken in.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.
Is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed.

 

[aquila]

Thanks for replying.

I don't have a spare tank at present so isolation could be difficult, it's something I will arrange if he doesn't improve very soon.

Here's a picture of him from about three months ago to illustrate the extent of the swelling:

If you compare the two pictures you can see where he's gone 'skinny' behind the bloated stomach, and also the colour loss he's experienced.

Poop has been normal, no trailing strings or discolouration, although thinking about it he hasn't passed anything for about 48 hours. I wouldn't really expect him to however as that's about the time period that he hasn't eaten for. Anus appears normal, not distended or red, nothing poking out. Fins are still held erect except for his tail which is tilted downwards slightly, don't know if that holds any significance.

I've used salt baths for my goldfish before now, would I use the same dosage rate for a gourami? I tend to use a heaped teaspoon to four gallons and leave them in for a good hour or so, but I'm worried that will be too much for him.

 

[aquila]

Better pics to compare.

 

[WILDER]

Ive lost fish to a drooping tail and gone thin on the back end, read it can also be something to do with diet.
What do you feed your fish.
I would try the epson salt baths for now.
Does the swelling look like fluid buid up, or does it look hard like a tumour.

 

[aquila]

They're fed TetraMin flake, chopped up peas and frozen daphnia primarily, bloodworm once a week if there's any left over from feeding my catfish and goldies.

I'm tempted to say fluid as the swelling is perfectly symmetrical, I'd expect a tumour to be more one sided if you know what I mean? I will try and gently have a feel of it when I salt bath him.

He is now sitting at the top of the tank although breathing normally.

Thanks again for your replies, I hope the salt bath does the trick. I am expecting to lose him otherwise as he does not look well at all.

 

[chesterscot]

hope you get him sorted m8y
scot

 

[WILDER]

His diet good so its not that.
His breathing fine so he stands a chance.
How old is he?

 

[aquila]

Gave him a bath this afternoon in a weak solution of epsom salts and internal bacteria medication. The swelling is very soft to the touch so almost certainly fluid in nature. There was a point where he was struggling to stay upright and his breathing became rapid - thought he was a goner for an hour or so, but now he's upright again and his breathing has improved somewhat. The swelling if anything is larger than it was yesterday.

He's about 10-12 months old as a rough estimate.

 

[WILDER]

Bless him.
All you can do is keep doing the epson salts baths.
Do you have a hospital tank as then you could as the epson salt baths to the water, and add the bacterial med aswell.

 

[aquila]

Thanks again for your replies

Sadly the quarantine/hospital tank had to go when we moved into this smaller house, so all medicating is done in a bucket at the moment I'm afraid! He had a good hour and a half in the solution today and I will repeat that again morning and evening tomorrow if he's still with us then. Fingers crossed he makes it through the night.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Good luck bless him.

 

[Adalimbi]

I am amazed that no one has pointed out that your Gourami is a female whom is very full of eggs.
Note how the "bloated" area has a triangle shape to it...thats her egg sack!
Best cure for this is a nice male to build her a bubble nest and spawn all those eggs.

 

[AshP1986]

I am amazed that no one has pointed out that your Gourami is a female whom is very full of eggs.
Note how the "bloated" area has a triangle shape to it...thats her egg sack!
Best cure for this is a nice male to build her a bubble nest and spawn all those eggs.

OMG THATS EXCITING!!!!!