Dwarf Gourami Illness

[HarveySS]

Hi all,

I have a problem with my male dwarf gourami;

It started a while back, over a week ago, maybe about 2. A small hole appeared from nowhere in its anal fin. I was baffled where it came from but thought maybe it got nipped or caught on something.

However i did notice just above it some sort of lump, but i couldnt remember if it had always been there.

However, today when i got back from work, this lump has now turned into another hole! Its sort of white around the hole edges, and the fish is now a lot more reclusive and not moving so much (it has always been a bit 'timid' but i thought this was normal.

I have looked all through the types of deseases but cant pin anything on it.


Tank size: 60litres i think (2ft tank)
pH: approx 7.5
ammonia: <0.6mg
nitrite: <0.3
nitrate: <10mg
kH: unknown
gH: unknown
tank temp: 77F 25C

All above readings at last check, about 1 week ago. I will test all again tomorrow

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 20-25% once a week-10 days

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Fin rot medication about 3 months ago (zebra danio's died from this - new tank) should no longer be present by now. Gourami were not present at time.

nutrafin cycle and aqua (water dechlorine) and small amount of ph down (live in hard-alkaline water area)

Tank inhabitants: pair dwarf gourami, 1 ancistrus (bottom feeder/catfish), 5 corydora and some guppy (new addiction)

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): various plants over time

Exposure to chemicals: na

Will try and take pics tomorrow

Many thanks;

Harvey

 

[HarveySS]

No one got any ideas?

Unfortunately today the gourami died. I have now taken a few pics:

http/images.fotopic.net/yqhsc2.jpg

http/images.fotopic.net/yqhsc3.jpg

please copy and paste link, for some reason the forum isnt allowing dynamic links!??
The lower hole was the original. The upper one was a lump that turned into that hole ultimately killing him.

Im guessing its some sort of ulcer or tumor? I couldnt see anything else wrong. Last night he did seem to be breathing a little heavier then normal, but his breathing had been fine til now.

None of the other tank mates seem affected (yet). any suggestions hat i should do. Maybe do a big water change to remove as much chance as possible?

ps i checked the water this eve:

PH - 7.8
ammonia - 0-0.6mg
Nitrites - 0.1mg/l
Nitrate - 5mg/l

Thanks;

Harvey

 

[doresy]

Hi, sorry about your loss.

Firstly, D G like well matured (at least 6 months) and well planted tanks.

They (like most fish) need perfect water conditions.

They are VERY prone to bacterial infections.

Your reading are showing slightly positive for ammonia/nitrite , maybe over feeding?

Was the other D G a female? (if also a male then stress of attack may have started it)

Personally, I gave up with them due to the bacterial infections

 

[AndyOleszczuk]

I'm afraid Doresy is right about Dwarf Gourami's Harvey. All of my previous ones died with exactly the same symptoms as yours.
According to my lfs, it is down to poor breeding in recent years and as such, they are prone to bacterial infections. They don't even sell them anymore.

Andy

 

[HarveySS]

Many thanks for the replies.

The other D G is a female, she has been fine, always eaten better then the male (female would always go to top when fed, male would normally wait for the food to sink)

The ammonia i believe is actually pretty much 0, its just the test kit i have the test card for 0 then goes to 0.6mg, they are hardly any colour diff, both clear with the 0.6 having the tiniest tint of yellow.

I will keep a check on the feeding front, they have always eaten the food pretty quick.

Leaves me with a dilemma now, whether to leave the female on her own now, or to risk getting another male to go with her at a later date. Bit off putting hearing more and more about the DG being so prone to illness!

Many thanks again;

Harvey

 

[SunnySeth]

yeah, like they said, they're really prone to a "mysterious" bacterial infection that they now just call Dwarf Gourami Disease... its partially because most of the D G's are bred and raised on farms, and they have plenty of antibiotics readily available on the farms, and now they dont, so they actually get it even easier than if they never did have the antibiotics... even getting the antibiotics wont even help the new owner (dont know why)... i love gouramis, but when i had my two dwarfs, i was too paranoid, it was like a waiting game just to see them catch it... so i took em back and got a few tetra

 

[gourami_fan]

Sorry about the death,

I'm pretty sure that wound on your dwarf is an ulcer, and as you have read above, dwarf gouramis are really prone to illness. Also, other than the ucler, it seems to be very bloated as well, meaning there is probably bacterial infection. Poor guy had 2 things at once. Theres probably nothing you could have done for him