Concern with three spot gourami

[C.j]

lately ive noticed my 3 spot gourami has a sort of maroonish colouring to some of his scales, especially near his head down to his gills. It doesnt protrude from his body at all, its just a colour. He's also been rubbing against the thermometer. Anyone got any ideas fo what this might be? i dont want to loose this guy, he was one of my first fishies

 

[Mr Miagi]

I know when i had my old blue 3 spot gourami that he changed colour as he aged and got pretty old, into some deep blues. Dont really know about purples though.

Maybe Wilder or Sylvia would care to add?

 

[C.j]

i hadnt really thought of it being natural. id say it could be, but his scratching makes me think it isnt. who knows, the colour and scratching could be unrelated. my guy is yellow, would this sort of harsh colouring come naturally?

maybe a better description of the discolouring would help

its kind of like a tiger's stripes in pattern along his body, they start from the top and go down in pointy streaks. its also less fairly subtle, its not a solid colour more like lots of little specs.

its different at his head, just before his gills is the strongest colouring, it looks like it follows just inside the edge of his scales, kinda in a curved line. it has recently spread to below his eyes, its more spotty there.

As far as colour, its between brownish and maroon. im hoping its not blood or anything.

could this colour be coming from the irritation of scratching hiself alot? i believe his head is where he scratches the most.

ive been trying to get a picture but hes shy of the camera (my mobile)

 

[C.j]

if theres one way to make a fishy come to ur camera, its with food ^^

best shot i could get for the moment

 

[Annastasia]

Ah, you have a Gold Gourami, not a 3-spot. Though they are the same species.

The coloring is very normal, all of my Golds have it. I am guessing you mean the stripes by, and around his head, though?

 

[C.j]

those are the ones Thx anna, you've rly put my mind to rest

thx too mr miagi

 

[Mr Miagi]

No probs mate! Under the fish profiles section of TFF you can find more info on your Golden Gourami!

Annastasia pointed out you have a Gold Gourami rather than a 3 spot, and she is correct! The Gold Gourami is just another colour variation of the 3 spoted gourami!