Gouramis need help!!

[Britty685]

Hey guys about a month ago I set up a 55 gallon aquarium. This is a community tank and there are many kinds of fish in there. All are doing fine, EXCEPT my gouramis. My first one was an opaline gourami, it was not growing, eating, or moving around a whole lot for about 3 weeks, then it up and died. Now two of my dwarf gouramis are acting the same (not showing interest in food and are getting darker in color) if you could give any insight to what is going on please let me know.

BTW:
here are the specs-
55 gallon
Emporer 400 filter
Water changed every 2-3 weeks (25%)
Filter changed every 4 weeks
I use start right and aquarium salt
fish in the aquarium:
3 mollies
4 platys
1 female swordtail
1 pictus catfish
1 emerald cory cat
1 clown loach (sm)
3 dwarf gouramis
1 gold gourami
1 blue gourami

 

[Mr Miagi]

Why do you use salt? Do you use it for medical reasons? I asume so anyways.

Gouramis wouldnt tolerate too much salt in the water, but your other fish are hardier.

As for the clown, a group of 3 plus is recomended. And the cories are better in numbers. I think you could add a few more cories, but eventualy the clown or clowns will need to go as they do grow quite large.

Anyone else have any ideas??

 

[WILDER]

Going darker in colour can be a bacterial infection.also can you post test results in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.

 

[Britty685]

I have always been told that salt is like a general tonic that helps fish. Okay, so it could either be the salt or a bacterial infection. I will do a water change and use no salt. Could this bacteria be affecting the other fish and I not know about it? Because they seem to be doing fine. I will definatly get the water checked and let you guys know. Last time i changed my water the levels were completly safe.