Gourami Looking Lethargic

[millie1]

he's just sitting on the bottom - he was fine earlier - about to do another water change

th other fish and other gourami are absolutely fine.....

any siggestions as to what it might be???

nothing physically wrong with him....

 

[WILDER]

Need more info.
Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Does he look bloated.
Any excess mucas on the gills or body of the fish.
Any red patches or red streaking in the fins.
Does the fish look pale or darker in colour.
Can he maintain his balance in the water.

 

[millie1]

havent done tank readings today - everything was normal yesterday

except nitrAte was up slightly - nothing more than 20

he looks normall

one thing though he keeps trying to jump out the tank..........!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WILDER]

How are the other fish acting.
Jumping out of the tank can be bad water quality, toxins, parasites.
Any other fish in the tank stressing him out.
Is he darting around and flicking and rubbing.

This is the info on trying to jump out of the tank.
Has your ph changed.

Trying to jump out of tank (dinoflagellates [free-living or parasitic], pH shock, toxins)

 

[millie1]

nope - nothing changed - all normal

nothing bullying him


tbh it dosent look good - im prepared for that

but he may be my second casulaty

should i put him in salt water for a bit??? if so - how long and then puting him back in the tank??

 

[WILDER]

Is he a new fish or have you had him awhile.
No other symtoms apart from sitting on the bottom of the tank and trying to jump out.
Need to look at your water stats.

 

[millie1]

ive had him 6 days.........

no other symtoms - all other fish are fine everything else normal - fish are happy, healthy and loving the tank etc....

 

[WILDER]

How long did you climatise him for and what was the ph of the store to your tank.

pH Shock

As its name suggests this condition occurs when a fish is introduced to quickly into a new environment which has a very different pH from the one it came from, when the pH is adjusted to quickly and the fish have little or no time to adjust themselves, or when the pH is to far outside the fishes normal range.

It is very important that any change in water chemistry is made slowly and fish should never be exposed to changes of pH greater than 0.5 of one unit on the pH scale in either direction.

Avoidance is by far the best solution because in most cases the symptoms don't appear until the second or third day by which time the damage has been done and the fish will probably die.

A fish suffering from this condition will show all the typical signs of shock -

Lying on the bottom and paying little or no attention to its surroundings and ignoring potential threats.
It may even lay on its side or go upside down completely.
There could be other signs to, related to Acidosis and Alkalosis
Excessive mucus production.
Rapid breathing.
Swollen abdomen. (Alkalosis only).
If the condition is allowed to go on for one or two days then the chances of a successful remedy are greatly reduced because a lot of damage will have taken place. If the symptoms are spotted early enough there are a couple of things that will help.

Begin to return the pH to the original pH in steps of 0.4 of one unit on the pH scale and allow 3 hrs in between the adjustments. Make these adjustments until the pH is returned to a safe and satisfactory level.
Treat the tank with a broad spectrum anti-Bacteria/Fungus compound to prevent secondary infections of the Skin and Gills.
Prevention is easy. A successful treatment isn't!

 

[millie1]

ok thanks

but my Ph is 7.5 which i was told to keep it at - it has always been steady......

what can i do for him tonight - can get any meds atm..........


saltwater?

hes gone further over on his side - - im going to loos e him arnt it?

 

[WILDER]

It could be that you didn't climatise him properly.
Trying to jump out of the tank is a concern as that means ph shock, parasites to toxins.
I doubt it's toxins if the other fish are ok.
Did you add anymore fish to the tank with him.

Its the ph of the lfs you bought the fish from you need to know.
I always test the bag water in ph to see how long to climatise the fish for.

All you can do is issolate him to a hospital tank and try a bacterial med if its ph shock.
If its is ph shock they usually end up dying.

 

[millie1]

the only other tank i have available is a little round one, the other plastic tank which is home to Mr pinchy......(lobster)..... and thats it!!

(or a bucket......)

 

[WILDER]

Ok the only other option is to add the bacterial med to the tank.
He dosn't sound good so I would prepare yourself for losing him, so sorry.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

 

[millie1]

i am prepared now

thanks.....

hes now sat up again and stopped leaning.......


i wont expect to see him alive tomorow

 

[WILDER]

he sounded like he had a bacterial infection till you said he trying to jump out of the tank.
Fingers crossed but he dosn't sound good.
Yes he could be dead by morning bless him.

 

[millie1]

poor sod

i cant even bring myself to euthanise him right now

if he's still around tomorow morn(very much doubt it).... i will have to put him out of his misery...