pahansen
Fish Fanatic
In mid-August, I purchased two Powder Blue Dwarf Gouramis. I got them at the same time, from the same tank. One was slightly larger and would sometimes chase the smaller fish. About a month or two ago, I noticed that while the "dominant" fish had grown to about 2.25", the other fish was still only about 1.5" -- the size when I got him. I was thinking of posting about it, but I figured that fish are probably individuals, and just like people some are larger than others. And after all, they are dwarf gouramis.
Yesterday I noticed that the small gourami wasn't interested in eating, was spending a lot of time sitting near the bottom of the tank, and was getting chased a bit by the larger fish.
Last night before bed I checked him, and he was sitting in the top corner of the tank "hiding" behind the African Butterfly Fish. I made sure he was still alive, and checked him out. I couldn't tell if his tail had been nipped, or if it was just the normal split in his tail, but I decided to add extra water conditioner (for the slime coat) just in case. (This had happened once with a barb, and the water conditioner seemed to help.)
This morning I looked at the tank first thing, and he was lying on the bottom, fairly colorless, being nibbled at by the ghost shrimp. Yuck. It turned my stomach. Stupid shrimp.
I see absolutely no difference in the larger fish or any of the other fish in the tank. This is the first fish I've had die on me <sniff>, so I don't know what to think. I know that dwarf gouramis can be badly bred. Does this sound like a natural death, and/or one due to poor breeding? Like I said, he never really grew.
My concern is that there's something wrong in the tank that I'm unaware of. I just added two new fish (the African Butterfly Fish and a Weather Loach) about ten days ago. I haven't noticed any other problems, but then again this seemed to happen fairly quickly.
I changed and tested the water yesterday (before his odd behavior began), and all of my numbers were good -- 0 nitrates and nitrites. So I doubt it's that. And none of my other fish look stressed.
I'd appreciate any advice you all have.
Thanks,
Pamela
Yesterday I noticed that the small gourami wasn't interested in eating, was spending a lot of time sitting near the bottom of the tank, and was getting chased a bit by the larger fish.
Last night before bed I checked him, and he was sitting in the top corner of the tank "hiding" behind the African Butterfly Fish. I made sure he was still alive, and checked him out. I couldn't tell if his tail had been nipped, or if it was just the normal split in his tail, but I decided to add extra water conditioner (for the slime coat) just in case. (This had happened once with a barb, and the water conditioner seemed to help.)
This morning I looked at the tank first thing, and he was lying on the bottom, fairly colorless, being nibbled at by the ghost shrimp. Yuck. It turned my stomach. Stupid shrimp.
I see absolutely no difference in the larger fish or any of the other fish in the tank. This is the first fish I've had die on me <sniff>, so I don't know what to think. I know that dwarf gouramis can be badly bred. Does this sound like a natural death, and/or one due to poor breeding? Like I said, he never really grew.
My concern is that there's something wrong in the tank that I'm unaware of. I just added two new fish (the African Butterfly Fish and a Weather Loach) about ten days ago. I haven't noticed any other problems, but then again this seemed to happen fairly quickly.
I changed and tested the water yesterday (before his odd behavior began), and all of my numbers were good -- 0 nitrates and nitrites. So I doubt it's that. And none of my other fish look stressed.
I'd appreciate any advice you all have.
Thanks,
Pamela