Dwarf Gourami Update: Good News!

[LilMuppet]

He lives in a community tank and has been fine since we got him. This morning when I looked at the fish he was swimming side ways but with his head pointing to the surface and still at the top level of the tank (I guess he hasn't had it very long). I thought nothing of it at first as he has done that quite often when underneath our net breeder to see if he can get to anything. I've raised the temperature a bit by keeping both lights on when I'd normally turn one off to keep the temperature constant through the hottest part of the day (its quite hot here at the moment). I've also given the fish some blood worms. Apart from the way he is swimming he looks fine, his colours are bright.

Typically it has happened when I can't just go and get some treatment (parents away) so is there anything else I can do? I know it is very uncommon for fish to survive.

(Advised to repost it here from Gourami section)

 

[*Fishkies*]

You could try feeding peas. Take some peas, but them in a dish add some hot water let them sit for 30seconds, then put the peas in some cool water so they are not so hot for your fish to eat. Then take the pea and de-shell it, basically pop it out. then you can mush it up a bit and try feeding it to your fish.

Good Luck! This should help if he has swimbladder.

 

[LilMuppet]

I put some in the tank and for once he trusted me and went near my fingers to take some. I hope it'll work fast because at the moment he's now lying on the floor of the tank. I remember we had a platy that survived swim bladder and white spot (we never bought fish from the same shop again) only to die because he'd damaged his mouth and couldn't eat.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Do you run aeration in the tank?
Is there anyway you could isolate him?

 

[LilMuppet]

Do you run aeration in the tank?
Is there anyway you could isolate him?

Yes I do, but there is no way I could isolate him, he's starting to learn to balance himself on the plants around the top though.

 

[*Fishkies*]

That's okay. At least he sounds like he has some balance now. Just keep a close eye on him.

 

[LilMuppet]

Doesn't look to have worked, this morning he's laying on the floor and not moving much at all.

 

[WILDER]

I agree just lost a panda cory to the same thing.
Not good when they rest, he's dying.

 

[LilMuppet]

Well he isn't giving up too quickly.

He's back near the top trying to swim and I have to say the problem is still bad, but not as bad as it seemed yesterday. Shall I try some more peas?

 

[WILDER]

It won't harm him to feed more peas, sorry mine was popeye not swim bladder, got mixd up with a post.

 

[LilMuppet]

He's had two lots but doesn't look any better anymore. He now looks like he is suffering and not putting the battle on he had this morning. If he is the same tomorrow or worse is it a good idea to humanely end his suffering? If so what's the best way to do so?

I'd hate to watch him slowly die (I'm doing my revision on the table overlooking the tank!)

 

[WILDER]

Everybody has different methods.
Cove oil, cutting head off, banging the head with a hammer.
I choose this method as it fast cold water in a bucket or jug, then add ice cubes the colder the better, then add the fish, 30 seconds it takes.
Sorry.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Sorry he doesn't seem to be able to fight much anymore...best of luck though with him!
Yeah i've done the frozen water method. Put some water in a dish enough to cover your fish, put it in the freezer for an hour then take it out, break the top up as that should be frozen, then you put the fish in the dish, and he should go quite quick.
However the clove oil method doesn't seem that bad, however I have never had experience with it.

 

[LilMuppet]

Thanks for the information. He took a trip back up the surface this morning as if to say to give him some more time, so I will and I'll give him a last lot of peas later on and keep an eye on him. My rule of thumb is to give them a chance while they're still fighting, no matter what small chance that is.

Despite the almost certain loss, I've learnt about the use of peas so will feed them a few every couple of a weeks. I'll update when an outcome has been made.

 

[-germ-]

How's the gourami lil?
On top of peas daphinia are also another very good source of roughage doing a similar job to peas, although not quite as quick.
If he is pancaking are you sure he's suffered no aggression from any other fish?
Also what food regime do you normally follow and what brand flake food do you feed?
By suffering what do you mean, what suffering is apparent in his behaviour?
Unless you can be sure that he's on his way out then euthanasia is a bit defeatist (not to mention pointless).....