female gourami injured? or disease?

[houndour]

3 days ago my female gourami had a small...well to me it looked like she'd knocked herself and a scale was missing. I've been adding melafix since and it seems to improve, then get better then get even worse As of this morning it was double the size and it looked pinkish/red around the edges.

I don't have a hospital tank I'm afraid.

I haven't personally seen my male gourami attack her and she certainly doesnt seem skittish or anything. She's feeding well and and is active. Should I continue with the melafix for the 7 days? I feel guilty about it and have a spare tank, but I dont have _anywhere_ to put it except in the middle of the floor.

 

[sylvia]

I'm assuming this is your dwarf gourami.

Melafix doesn't realy help with infections which is what it sounds like she has. It is a good, very mild, preventative anti-bacterial but isn't of any use if you can see that whatever she has is getting worse.

As it's on her scales and is changing in size and is red, I'm thinking it might be a secondary bacterial infection. I don't know for certain though without looking. I sugegst you treat with an external anti-bacterial med and, hopefuly, that'll get rid of it. If not, you're going to have to post a pic .

 

[houndour]

ok thanks, will do.

 

[houndour]

just to let you know, I did a water change tonight and then added an anti bacterial medicine that deals with ulsers, sores, holes etc and internal infections. It says not to add anymore for 4 days.

 

[sylvia]

Just a warning - monitor your water quality carefuly as anti-internal bacteria meds. CAN cause mini-cycles. Just be careful and be ready to do a water change if necessary. Keep us updated. I hope she recovers.

 

[houndour]

oh thanks sylvia. I actually did a complete test last night on everything. I have a planted tank so I'm trying to get everything 'right', so I'll keep an eye out on the ammonia and nitrite levels.

 

[houndour]

why is it sometimes the upload image thing is missing? I want to upload pic of gourami...

 

[sylvia]

Sorry, I have no idea... But you could try posting them in the pictures forum and then posting a link to that thread here

 

[houndour]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?act=ST&f=22&t=97797

pic here. it's not brilliant. She just wouldnt turn so I could get a head on pic!

 

[sylvia]

http/www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html

Take a look at lymphocistis/cauliflower disease, at culumnaris and, though less likely I think, at body fungus. Does it look like any of those? It's difficult to be more specific from the pic.

I would think the most likely is culumnaris in which case the current treatment is suitable. If it's the fungus, the anti-bacterial won't work, you need anti-fungus meds. If it's lymphocistis, treatment is difficult and unreliable. See that link for extra info.

Has there been any improvement? How is she now behaviour-wise? Is she eating well?

 

[houndour]

Hi,

It doesnt look like _anything_ on the page. def not fungus or cauliflower. I'm thinking it's an injury, it started off very small and has got bigger and bigger. I can't tell if the anti bacterial meds are helping. It look better in terms of colour (Ie not red or pink anymore).

Maybe the male gourami did it to her? Or maybe she knocked herself on wood?

The injury/disease does not seem to be affecting her in any way. Her behaviour hasnt changed a bit. She is still quite laid back and goes about her business of 'pecking' at the plants. She eats very well.

Sam

 

[sylvia]

You see though, the fact that it's growing means it isn't an injury. Even if it started out as an injury, this suggests it is now infected.

Secondary infections like that are either caused by fungus or bacetrial. I think you should just keep treating and see if there's improvement. If it gets worse, try a broad-spectrum antibiotic of some kind and see if that's any help. If it starts looking fuzzy, she's got fungus so treat for that.

Only change the treatment if it's actualy getting worse. If it simply doesn't appear to be having an effect, just be patient as these things can take a while to treat. The most important thing remember is excellent water quality. If you have no scaleless fish, just a tiny bit of salt (not a lot at all) may also be of some benefit.

I should mention it may turn out to be some kind of untreatable ulcer but, IME, these aren't that common in gouramies. If this does turn out to be the case, however, it will only be a problem if it continues to grow.

Behaviour-wise she sounds absolutely fine and, seeing as you say the color's improved, I think the meds probably are helping a little. As long as she is active and eating, she'll be ok.

I don't know what may have caused any injury to her. It probably isn't the other gourami simply because it's unlikely that he would have nipped her there. They normaly go for the fins when chasing females or the gills/sides when actualy fighting so that part of the head seems unlikely to have been damaged by another gourami. It could be an ornament or something though that she accidentaly scratched herself on.

 

[houndour]

Thanks sylvia.

Well I've been testing the water almost every day now...and no sign of a mini cycle and nitrates are at 10ppm. I'm due for a water change today I think.

It's definitely not fungus like. So I'll stick with the assumption that it's an infected injury. I haven't checked today but the anti bacterial stuff I have I think it only said 2 doses. I'll read the instructions again, but if it says only 2 doses which is what I've done, should I add a third anyway? I don't think the wound has got bigger...or certainly its not noticeable. Its difficult to tell sometime when you're looking so often.

Good to know its probably not the male gourami. Her fins are absolutely fine.

Thanks again.

 

[sylvia]

Am I right in thinking that the dosage(s) given by the instructions is for just one treatment? If so, you then should put some carbon in your filter (once you've done all that's on the instructions), do a big water change and then restart the treatment (following the instructions again for 2 dosages). Remmber to take the carbon out before you start again!

 

[houndour]

Hi Sylvia, I started the second dosage but my female gourami was found dead this morning little girl.

thanks for your help.