Gouramis Red Honey Body Problems

[powarman]

Ok i 3 of these fish and one of them looks like it is going to explode!!!!!

It has been that way for a few weeks and is so stretched that it has turned white, i am worried now as it doesn't seem to be going down. And it is still eating its food.

CAN ANY ONE HELP ME ???

 

[sylvia]

Are the scales sticking out?

It's either a very gravid female (which is fine) or a fish with a serious case of dropsy (which is probably beyond the point where treatment does any good and will, unfortunately, die).

While parasites and constipation are also likely to cause similar symptoms, parasites also cause other symptoms (eg: white, stringy poo) and constipation causes a lack of appetite and doesn't last that long.

Try feeding the fish some de-shelled green peas just inc ase its constipation.
Can you get a picture? Do you know what sex it is?

 

[powarman]

Thanx for that, there was some long white poo in the tank but i don't know which one it was from.

I will try to get a picture and i really don't know what sex it is.

also yes they are up.

Thanx again.

so its going to go to heaven nice

 

[sylvia]

Unfortunately, the scales sticking out is a major symptom of internal bacterial diseases (the symptom's called dropsy and is the result of fluid accumulation due to organ failure).

At this stage, it probably can't be cured and I honestly would suggest euthanasia if/when it stops eating (if it has dropsy, it'll stop eating very soon). The best method is using a few drops of clove oil. Put the fish in a cup of tank water, add the clove oil (which is sold in most pharmacies for toothache) and the fish should drift into sleep. Add some extra clove oil to ensure its unconscious and then leave it in the cup for at least half an hour (more is better to avoid revival). Then dispose of the fish (DON'T FLUSH!).

Like I said, wait and see if it stops eating and I'd like to see a picture first. Also, if you have a spare cycled tank (or use mature filter media for an instant cycle), you can attempt to isolate the fish and treat it with antibiotics. However, this usualy has no effect besides stressing the fish. I personaly would give it a shot anyway - just in case the fish still stands some chance of survival - but its not worth treating the whole tank as you risk a re-cycle that could wipe out the rest of your fish and bring no benefits to the gourami anyway.