Constipated Gourami

[xJake]

Any tips on getting my gourami to eat green peas to clear up constipation? Her stomach is swollen and she's having trouble swimming. Poor thing (I've tried an epsom salt bath and it didn't do much)

Also, there is always the chance that it is swim-bladder disease... Are there any discernable symptoms between the two?

 

[WILDER]

Sadly it sounds like swim bladder if is swimming pattern is unstable like he can't maintain his balance, once swim bladder has advanced there no cure sorry, if you can issolate but it can be to late all there is left is a bacterial med.

 

[xJake]

Sadly it sounds like swim bladder if is swimming pattern is unstable like he can't maintain his balance, once swim bladder has advanced there no cure sorry, if you can issolate but it can be to late all there is left is a bacterial med.

She's maintaining balance, but it looks as though she has to work a lot harder to swim (moving fins a lot faster) and is doing a bit of sitting at the bottom, which is what I meant by having trouble swimming. Also, I did see her eating a LOT of the dry food this morning and she never touches the other foods I put in to vary the fish's diet. (cucumber, shrimp pellets, green peas, etc.) I usually try to soak the food first but I didn't have time this morning as I woke up late.

 

[Tolak]

How much epsom were you using, & for how long? If you suspect constipation, feeding the fish is the last thing you want to do. Any well conditioned adult fish can easily go a week without food.

 

[xJake]

I used 1 tbsp per gallon and soaked for 15 mins. Also, green peas act as a natural laxative to relieve constipation in fish which is why I'm attempting to feed her some.

 

[WILDER]

If you can get the peas down her that would be good, there another method i will get you a link, another sign of a bacterial infection is resting on the bottom to one side usually when they do this they tend not to make it, sorry.
http/www.bobstropicalfish.com/constipation.html

 

[Tolak]

I used 1 tbsp per gallon and soaked for 15 mins. Also, green peas act as a natural laxative to relieve constipation in fish which is why I'm attempting to feed her some.

I understand what the peas do, used it before. Feeding the flakes to a constipated fish is a bad idea.

You should try a more long term approach with the epsom at a lower dose. I start with one teasoon per 10 gallons, increasing by a teaspoon per 10 gallons daily to three teaspoons per 10 gallons. I've saved several fish with this method.

Wilder's link is a good one, though I've never had to go with the cod oil. I would if the epsom didn't work after a few days.

 

[xJake]

Got her to eat the peas last night and when I went to check on her this morning she was dead.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry bless her R.I.P. at least you tryed.

 

[xJake]

I also was forced to euthanize one of my clowns this morning as it seems that he developed an advanced case of sepiticimia as a secondary infection from the ich. His belly was all swollen and there were red streaks all over his body. The only reason I didn't notice in time to treat is because of the fact that my loaches hide most of the day. I guess I'll have to pay better attention and check out my fish more in the evenings

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P. Septicemia is very hard to cure onced it got a hold of the fish bless him.