Dwarf Gourami Open Head Wounds

[ariadne]

Ok.

So I stopped buying dwarf gourami's a while back cos they kept getting parasites and dying. But I still have one who was a trooper and stayed alive when all others got sick. Today I saw him hanging around the bottom of the tank a bit, maybe trying to hide. Then I noticed two wounds on his face, near his mouth. They look very red, like blood and maybe a little puffy. I don't know how this happened! His tank mates are two regular gourami's and a bristlenose catfish.

Stats are normal (0 ammonia, 7 ph, 27 degrees C and heavily planted tank). Recently I lost my angels, but was told that this was cos they need a 'mature tank' (mine is only 4 months old). My tank is 21 gallons (apparently too small for full sized gourami's). Attached is a picture of my fishes wounds. I never see the other gourami's chasing him. In fact, he used to be the more agressive.


What is it? Sorry for the bad photos. I can't focus on him.

Please help. I don't want any more fish to die...!

Update: Just noticed he has a clear stringy thing hanging from him...probably poo but looks thinner than usual and of course clear. Should I give him peas for constipation? Poor little guy.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry that fish is in a bad way, I would issolate the fish, to be honest only an antibiotic will work, don't no your location, that could be to late..
Long stringy white poo not constipation with the wounds, its bacterial maybe with an underlaying problem of parasites.
When you say parasites which one, internal or external.

 

[ariadne]

Sorry that fish is in a bad way, I would issolate the fish, to be honest only an antibiotic will work, don't no your location, that could be to late..
Long stringy white poo not constipation with the wounds, its bacterial maybe with an underlaying problem of parasites.
When you say parasites which one, internal or external.

Fish is acting pretty ok...just 'sulking'...not acting like it's on death's door or anything.

The other fish had internal parasites...I THINK. They were never properly diagnosed...

 

[doresy]

I have given up on Dwarf Gouramis. I have lost a few during this year although water stats and other fish are ok. Tank is well planted and matured and tank mates were suitable.

Sorry to say but, that fish is gonna die.

 

[tauaru]

If you can get your hands on Melafix, it is really good with wounds. I am not sure of your location but it is a 1% solution of melaleuca that gets added at 10ml per every 10 US gallons (37.85 Liters).

 

[ariadne]

If you can get your hands on Melafix, it is really good with wounds. I am not sure of your location but it is a 1% solution of melaleuca that gets added at 10ml per every 10 US gallons (37.85 Liters).

Ok. After going to the aquarium and having my stats tested (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, medium nitrate) I added broad spectrum antibacterial/fungal. Fish is acting a bit better and wounds are less puffy! Aquarium man said the fluctuations in temperature (it's winter here) may have contributed. I'm gonna do less frequent water changes now (was doing 20% weekly).

Don't tell me I actually managed to save him....we will see.

 

[WILDER]

What's your location, lfs will tell you anything to sell products to you.

 

[ariadne]

What's your location, lfs will tell you anything to sell products to you.

Sydney.

I already had the antibacterial. The aquarium guy actually told me he thought it was viral and there was nothing I could do. I guess we will see how fishie is tomorrow.

 

[vinylman]

It could well be the fatal Iridovirus. Only affects Dwarf Gouramis; you should be safe with other types, should you want/need to replace them.

 

[ariadne]

It could well be the fatal Iridovirus. Only affects Dwarf Gouramis; you should be safe with other types, should you want/need to replace them.

My tank isn't big enough for the other types, so I won't get any more. I need to find a different kind of fish I like that will fit into a 20 gallon tank, and not die so easily as angels and dwarves. =(

The 'wounds' are healing now, but his poo is still clear. Should I be doing anything else to help him, or will the antibacterial solve this too?

 

[*Fishkies*]

The antibacterial should help.

What all are you feeding him?

 

[ariadne]

The antibacterial should help.

What all are you feeding him?

Tropical fish flakes.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Okay. Well hopefully he gets better soon, just be sure to keep on top of the medication.

 

[vinylman]

You could always try Honey Gouramis; I kept them for a while and they were fabulous.

 

[SouthernCross]

I agree with other posters, he's probably not long for this world - I'm an Aussie too, I lost my dwarf gourami in a similar way - apparently there's a big problem in the mass-produced stocks of dwarf gouramis. I've been told if you want them to only get them from someone who bred them themselves.

But anyway, I thought I'd forward you to some helpful information:

Here's my thread when my gourami got sick - resident gourami expert sylvia (who is mysteriously MIA at the moment unfortunately) provided a lot of useful information - in fact many members with this problem have been sent to my previous thread to read the advice already given. --> http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...l=dwarf+gourami. That thread also has links to another post I made in the emergency forum complete with pictures, but most of the useful info from sylvia is in that first post.

Here's another member's (Jozlyn's) post about hers --> http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...t=0&start=0

This thread --> http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...186527&st=0 I ran a bit of a forum survey after noticing how many of us had the same ulcer problems and deaths on whether anyone has successfully kept dwarfs. The replies speak for themselves...

If you search the forums (in particular the gourami forum) for 'dwarf gourami' you'll find loads more info and threads.

Yes, honey gouramis are a good 'little gourami' suggestion, as are thick-lipped gouramis, or sparkling (although I think they're harder to find).
Search the gourami/anabantoid forum for more info.

Good luck!