Non-Pooping Golden Gourami

[mqhudson]

I bought a pair of golden gouramis 5 months ago. The female was "fat" when I got her - thought maybe she was full of eggs. However, I've NEVER seen this fish deficate. NEVER. In fact, I've checked her out innumerable times with a magnifying glass and honestly, I don't see any anus at all. Is it possible she's deformed? Has normal appetite. She keeps getting bigger but scales aren't sticking out much. I've had her in a hospital tank for a week to put her on a diet. Also added aquarium salt b/c I read it may relieve constipation. Still, NO POOP! She'd be dead without an opening, right? So how come no poop? Any ideas? (My golden male and male/female Pearl Gouramis all toilet fantastically! )

 

[afremont]

I bought a pair of golden gouramis 5 months ago. The female was "fat" when I got her - thought maybe she was full of eggs. However, I've NEVER seen this fish deficate. NEVER. In fact, I've checked her out innumerable times with a magnifying glass and honestly, I don't see any anus at all. Is it possible she's deformed? Has normal appetite. She keeps getting bigger but scales aren't sticking out much. I've had her in a hospital tank for a week to put her on a diet. Also added aquarium salt b/c I read it may relieve constipation. Still, NO POOP! She'd be dead without an opening, right? So how come no poop? Any ideas? (My golden male and male/female Pearl Gouramis all toilet fantastically! )

She has to have a vent or she'd have died a long time ago. Maybe a tapeworm or some type of parasite like that. Compared to the other gourami, does the fish look skinny in any other areas such as around the face and eyes? Fish with parasites might eat good, but still starve and waste away since the parasite is getting all the nutrition.

If it has constipation (seems kinda doubtful after 5 months) then you can try using epsom salts as a laxative. It should work in a few hours. 1 or 2 tablespoons per 10 gallons should do it. You might want to do it in a hospital tank if you have one so you can watch for the poop to show up on the bottom.

Is the fish trailing any long stringy stuff? Is it eating ok?

 

[Liquid skills]

Try giving her a pea or algae wafer that'll move her guys
If it was tapeworm you would still see poo and it would be infested with tape worm you would see them and other fish will also be infected she must got otherwise as stated she would be dead infancy she wouldn't of serviced a week of her life

My gours I hardly ever see defecate its properly normal when shes getting bigger what diet was she on she could be swelling due to eggs