Dwarf Gourami

[Labyrinth]

Hi All

I have had this Gourami for seven months now and have had no problem before.
At the moment she is at the just below the surface breathing rapidly and braking the surface to get air every 30secs. Her fins are a bit torn and she is slightly bloated ( I presumed she is full of eggs ).
I cant see any flukes at the moment.

I tested the water and found the Nitrates are high but everything else is fine.

I don’t know what to do, I don’t want her to die

Any help and advice will be appreciated

 

[smooth_bourbon]

HI WLCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

I really hope we can help...In order help us tell us as much as you can about your setup..

what is the tank size, what other fish do you have in the tank? What exactly was your ammonia, nitrites, ph, ammonia, some people have different ideas of what exactly is ok. What kind of filtration are you using?

Since the nitrates where high I assume you did a water change so now what are they testing at since the water change?

 

[Lucky Cheater]

Also, it sounds like an oxygen problem. once again: how big is the tank, what are you using for airation?

you may already know this but anyways, Gouramis can breathe through their mouths as well as their gills, so if he's sippin on the top there is probably not enough oxygen.

 

[Labyrinth]

Thanks Guys

The tank is aerated by a large air stone and I am using an internal canister filter.
The levels were Ammonia: 0.0 to 0.1mg/l Nitrites: 0.1 to 0.25mg/l Nitrates: 75mg/l to 100mg/l pH: 8.5

 

[jollysue]

Hi Labrinth I'm sorry you haven't gotten a reply. I just saw your post. I am not good about test levels and bringing them down.

There are VERY knowledgeable people in the emergency forum that will stay with you through your ordeal. If you go there you will get a faster and more consistent response.

In the meantime of course: water changes. Has she been eating? Pooping? A little aquarium salt might help her gill function: 2 tablespoons aquarium salt crystals per usg. Desolve first and add gradually is how I do it in order to watch for further distress.

I'm going to post this so you can get it and get to the emergency forum. I'll add more as I think about it until then

God bless the little fishies.

You will need to let the folks know succinctly what size tank, what water readings, what tank inhabitants (including if live plants or invertabrates), water temp., any observations.

Let me add that if you have any scaleless fish reduce the use of salt.

Also, welcome to the forum.

Is there a male in the tank?

 

[sylvia]

Firstly, what size tank is this and what other fish are in it? Have there been any signs of disease lately, any deaths or any changes made to the tank?

IMO, and I know most agree, ANY measurable amount of ammonia or nitrIte is unacceptable. NitrAtes should be kept below 20ppm idealy though under 40 is ok. I suggest you do a 50% water change now with de-chlorinated water at a similar temp and then ensure you do a weekly 25% water change from now on (if you have been slacking lately).

Gouramies actualy take most of their oxygen directly from the atmosphere. They don't even need aeration in their water and would be able to live their whole lives out of water (theoreticaly) provided they remained wet and could still eat . In contrast, a gourami trapped underwater - however aerated - drowns. Consequently, it can't be an oxygen problem. When gouramies gasp at the surface for air it indicates a water quality issue. Often it's high levels of toxins like I've already mentioned but it may also be a fluctuation in pH so check that as well.

You say she looks bloated which is worrying. Is her poo white and stringy? Has she got a good appetite? Feed her a (de)shelled green pea in case she is constipated.

Any sign of pineconing scales? What about red or inflamed areas? Look on her fins and around the gills in particular.

Have you added anything to the water recently or sprayed any aerosols or anything similar near the tank? If yes, do several large water changes and add some activated carbon to your filter. It may be a good idea to add carbon anyway in case something has gotten into the water that's causing her distress that you aren't aware of.

How are the other fish behaving? Also, how long have you had her?

 

[Labyrinth]

Thanks 4 all the advice but sadly she has died today.



RIP

 

[jollysue]

I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[Lucky Cheater]

Gouramies actualy take most of their oxygen directly from the atmosphere. They don't even need aeration in their water and would be able to live their whole lives out of water (theoreticaly) provided they remained wet and could still eat . In contrast, a gourami trapped underwater - however aerated - drowns. Consequently, it can't be an oxygen problem. When gouramies gasp at the surface for air it indicates a water quality issue. Often it's high levels of toxins like I've already mentioned but it may also be a fluctuation in pH so check that as well.

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That's very interesting...learn somethin new every day

-Cheater-