I'm Totally Stumped *balooning Gourami*

[Mikaila31]

I got 3 sparkling gouramis about a week ago. They looked fine in the bag. Then one swelled up quite rapidly a couple days later. IDK what is going on with it. It was getting epsom baths regularly, but since this seemed to have no effect it has been placed in and epsom bath for a duration of around 30 hours. It has no problem swimming, so its not swim bladder. Nor is their any pine-coning of the scales so I don't believe it is dropsy. That leaves it either constipated/bloated or eggbound. I kinda want to rule out eggbound since it was normal looking when I bought it. I'm not sure a fish can become egg bound that fast . It has remained active and alert. It is breathing a little heavy, but I think that is do to the swelling effecting how the gill plates sit. I kinda at a loss of what to do... If I can not reduce this swelling I am expecting the fish to take a turn for the worst in the next few days. I don't think it can get much bigger without exploding. I did my best to get pics showing internal anatomy. The swollen area behind the abdomen is quiet clear.

Problem fish next to one of the other gouramis I bought at the same time.

 

[Mikaila31]

anyone?

 

[SlyPolak]

Are the scales protruding?? (pineconing)
Might be dropsy... maybe eggbound... Feed it some deshelled, boiled peas.

 

[Mikaila31]

does not have protruding scales. I also forgot to mention that I dewormed it once I noticed it was swelling up. Before I feed it anything can you tell me how that might help. I would understand if it was constipated, but it has not been given any food in the last 5 days and has continued to swell.

Any other suggestion? Come on people I need help here! I leave on Sunday for a 4 day trip. I've already started trying drastic measures to help this fish. Its got 2 days to start improving before I feel I need to euthanize it if it doesn't.

 

[Athena]

Hope your fish is still alive!

From what I've read, bloated abdomen without pineconing is usually the result of an untreated bacterial disease.

You can try treating the problem with Myxazin but the disease may well be too far along now to rectify. If you have any Myxazin it's worth giving the little fish a chance of survival.

If you're not able to quarantine new fish in a separate tank before adding to your main tank, you can always add Myxazin for a couple of days as a way of prevention.

Regards

Athena