out of breath?

[noop]

the last few days my powder blue dwarf gourami has taken to sitting quite still except for a slight movement backwards and forwards. it looks like he's out of breath... water params are all fine (though i have no nitrate test) and there's plenty of water movement

his tail and dorsal fins are kept quite small/flat, but it's not fin-rot. he occasionally throws a brief fit and swims in circles extremely fast

any idea what his problem is?

 

[juliethegr8t]

I would do a significantly sized water change, just in case nitrates are your problem. He could also have a parasite infestation of some sort such as gill flukes or ich - both infect the gills and can cause breathing problems. I'd suggest you check him very very closely for any other outward signs, he's definitely sick. Good luck!!