Gourami

[Wrams]

My Gourami is looking pissed off and lifeless. Hes been fine since i first had him, then yesterday started spending most of his time by the heater just floating. I have done a water change and tested for spiking but alls good with test. Hes not eating properly, I feed him and he just watches the flake float round the top of the tank. He then makes and effort to try and eat some but always spits it back out. I have other fish in the tank which seem fine and very active. I have a hospital tank would it be a good idea to place him in there and moniter him closely?. I dont want to lose him he was my first fish i picked when i first started so is my favourite . I can't see any signs of infection but then i'm not really sure what to look for. I would however notice if there was any markings on him. Please can anyone make any suggestions or give advice?

Thank you.

 

[Athena]

Is this a dwarf gourami you have? I know that these are prone to various ailments and some would say they are not an easy fish to keep. I have had problems with my DG in the past, mostly with a persistent ulcer near his mouth - but finally managed to clear that up with meds.

With some fish that have longish fins it's very easy to tell if they have a bacterial infection because their fins become tightly clamped and it's very visible to notice - but with the DG it's not so easy. Their pecs are those two long whiskery things that hang down underneath them - can you see if these are hanging normally or pulled upwards towards his body?

Have you already checked for whitespot disease? I know that fish can become lifeless and go off their food sometimes with this disease.

If it's a bacterial problem, try to start treating asap with something like Myxazin (or similar product) then you might be able to save him.

All the best - Athena

 

[Wrams]

Is this a dwarf gourami you have? I know that these are prone to various ailments and some would say they are not an easy fish to keep. I have had problems with my DG in the past, mostly with a persistent ulcer near his mouth - but finally managed to clear that up with meds.

With some fish that have longish fins it's very easy to tell if they have a bacterial infection because their fins become tightly clamped and it's very visible to notice - but with the DG it's not so easy. Their pecs are those two long whiskery things that hang down underneath them - can you see if these are hanging normally or pulled upwards towards his body?

Have you already checked for whitespot disease? I know that fish can become lifeless and go off their food sometimes with this disease.

If it's a bacterial problem, try to start treating asap with something like Myxazin (or similar product) then you might be able to save him.

All the best - Athena

How would i check for whitespot? Also the pecs look fine to me there trailing behind him.

 

[Athena]

Whitespot is usually fairly easy to see - you will notice tiny little salt-like grains on the body and/or fins (sometimes easier to see when they are under the light). It often causes the fish to flick their bodies against hard objects in the tank.

Easily treated with meds - Protozin is a good one.

Athena


ps - another thought is that your Gourami might just have a digestive problem which is putting him off his food a bit. You could try feeding him a bit of crushed pea and see if he eats that ok. That is usually good for sorting out any probs like constipation LOL!

 

[Wrams]

Whitespot is usually fairly easy to see - you will notice tiny little salt-like grains on the body and/or fins (sometimes easier to see when they are under the light). It often causes the fish to flick their bodies against hard objects in the tank.

Easily treated with meds - Protozin is a good one.

Athena


ps - another thought is that your Gourami might just have a digestive problem which is putting him off his food a bit. You could try feeding him a bit of crushed pea and see if he eats that ok. That is usually good for sorting out any probs like constipation LOL!

I have just taken a look at him and his belly is swallon quite a bit from the under view and side view its protruding quite abit. When you say crushed pea do you mean garden peas?

 

[SharonCC]

I use frozen...microwave just to soften and cut into bite size pieces. Dwarves are plagued with a virus that is incurable. They are also prone to internal parasites.

 

[Wrams]

I use frozen...microwave just to soften and cut into bite size pieces. Dwarves are plagued with a virus that is incurable. They are also prone to internal parasites.

I forgot to add that his belly is darkening to a brown colour and hes usually silvery blue. I have put 2 chopped up peas into the tank so will wait and sea.

 

[doresy]

Hi sorry to hear your problems.

I hate failure but i have to admit that on the 2 occasions that I have tried to keep (Dwarf) Gouramis that's how it's ended.

Beautiful fish as they are belies the pain in the #### that they are to keep.

They cost around a tenner a pair to buy, another tenner for treatments that the always end up needing and the buggers still die

I can live (cheaper) without them.......good luck, friend

 

[Wrams]

Hi sorry to hear your problems.

I hate failure but i have to admit that on the 2 occasions that I have tried to keep (Dwarf) Gouramis that's how it's ended.

Beautiful fish as they are belies the pain in the #### that they are to keep.

They cost around a tenner a pair to buy, another tenner for treatments that the always end up needing and the buggers still die

I can live (cheaper) without them.......good luck, friend

Thanks buddy