Dwarf gourami problem

[Gix]

I think there's something wrong with my neon dwarf gourami. Normally, it kind of getly glides around the aquarium (20g) or "hovers" in place. However, now when it "hovers," it actually rocks back and forth. It seems like maybe there's something wrong with its stabilizing mechanism..but I'm not sure what. I am currently treating the tank for ich (raised the temp up to 80 F and using half-doses of Rid-Ich). Could that be it? Is this something I should really be worrying about?
Thanks for any help!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Could the problem be that the current is too strong?

It might be swim bladder disorder. If so, then you might have a chance to save the fish. If you can quarantine and get conditions up, then it should help prevent the disorder if that be it.

 

[sylvia]

Try feeding it half a shelled pea (for swim bladder). I agree that this also may be due to a strong current but I would think the fish would have retreated to a corner with less current. I don't know what else could be causing this behaviour... What other fish are in this tank and do they all look to be in good health? I doubt the mediaction is the cause and gouramies are usualy comfortable with that temperature so I don't see why it would act this way.

 

[Gix]

uhh...all my fish seem to be pretty healthy...'cept for the clown loaches (they're small and I'm moving them soon), which are battling a case of ich. I've got guppies, ottos, and platies in there with the loaches and the gourami. They all get along just fine....

I'll try the pea thing...I'm currently letting the gourami fast to try and empty its stomach.

I don't really have much current in there....I really doubt it's current-related.

 

[sylvia]

If you used a chemical that could kill off your beneficial bacteria, it may be that your tank has experienced an ammonia spike and the gourami is showing the effects of it. I don't know what effect rid-ich would have on bacteria... If you have fed the peas already, have you seen any improvement? If, within the next couple of days this fish gets worse, you will need to isolate it in a quarantine tank and treat it accordingly. Most likely your problem is with water quality so check your ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH.