GoldenRoses
Fish Fanatic
Well, it looks like my beautiful honey gourami isn't going to make it through the night. 
I figured I'd post anyway, and see if anyone has any last ditch efforts to save him.
I've had this little fella for over two months now, without issue until now. He's quite small, only about an inch in total length, but did a great job keeping up with the more boisterous fish in the tank, making sure he gets his share at mealtime. I haven't seen any of the fish bullying him either.
About two weeks ago, I noticed his caudal fin started looking slightly ragged. This was about the same time my betta (who was in a breeder net during the time) had escaped into the main tank. I figured it was just a little nipping and it would clear up with clean water.
Today, his caudal is improved, but still not looking completely healthy. Other than that, I really can't see anything definite that would point to illness. He looks maybe a tad bloated, and I see what might be inflammation in his gills. And oddly enough, just today I noticed some of his scales were getting a bit of blackness to them. He's breathing really shallow aswell.
Within the past 24 hours, he went from an active and healthy fish, to laying on his side, cradled in some floating plants. I tested the water and found 0 ammonia and nitrites, approximately 20 nitrates (a little bit higher than usual, but I can't see this being the problem) and 7.9 pH. He's in a 20 gallon tall tank with 2 American flagfish, 5 harlequin rasboras, 3 cories and an otocinclus. The last additions to the tank were 4 rasboras about a week ago, after one had passed from old age.
Do I risk stressing him out with a water change to lower the nitrates? Is there anything else I can do to help him? I've waited months to take home a honey gourami, and I'd be devastated to loose him.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
I figured I'd post anyway, and see if anyone has any last ditch efforts to save him.I've had this little fella for over two months now, without issue until now. He's quite small, only about an inch in total length, but did a great job keeping up with the more boisterous fish in the tank, making sure he gets his share at mealtime. I haven't seen any of the fish bullying him either.
About two weeks ago, I noticed his caudal fin started looking slightly ragged. This was about the same time my betta (who was in a breeder net during the time) had escaped into the main tank. I figured it was just a little nipping and it would clear up with clean water.
Today, his caudal is improved, but still not looking completely healthy. Other than that, I really can't see anything definite that would point to illness. He looks maybe a tad bloated, and I see what might be inflammation in his gills. And oddly enough, just today I noticed some of his scales were getting a bit of blackness to them. He's breathing really shallow aswell.
Within the past 24 hours, he went from an active and healthy fish, to laying on his side, cradled in some floating plants. I tested the water and found 0 ammonia and nitrites, approximately 20 nitrates (a little bit higher than usual, but I can't see this being the problem) and 7.9 pH. He's in a 20 gallon tall tank with 2 American flagfish, 5 harlequin rasboras, 3 cories and an otocinclus. The last additions to the tank were 4 rasboras about a week ago, after one had passed from old age.
Do I risk stressing him out with a water change to lower the nitrates? Is there anything else I can do to help him? I've waited months to take home a honey gourami, and I'd be devastated to loose him.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
