Poorly Pink Kissing Gourami

[arobinson1984]

I have 2 pink kissing gouramis in my tank, both are about 2" in length and have been in the tank about 4 weeks. One has become really quiet and hides over the last 2 days.

It sits at the back of the tank, hidden behind a plant and just plonks itself on the gravel.

I can't see any visible signs of illness at all, not flicking, rubbing, spots. All fins are fine. The fish isnt thin and can keep its balance. I haven't noticed it going to the toilet as its hidden most of the time.

It has stopped doing its 'kissing' motion that they are known to do repeatedly.

Its still alive as every now and then it raises itself off the bottom for a min then goes back down to the gravel.

Tank stats:

PH - 7.2
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 20ppm
Temp - 27 C

It just seems to me like it is stressed but not sure why as its been fine over the last 3-4 weeks.

Any ideas plz?

Andy

 

[star4]

I am only guessing here, but as they have been in the tank about 4 weeks it could be the one hiding has been bullied by the other fish and is just keeping out of the way. I had the same happen with my blue gourami's and pearls. I removed the bully fish for a hour or so and moved some of the decor about and returned the bully fish and they were fine.

 

[chesterscot]

what size tank are they in i only asked as bullying is an issue with kissers
regards scot

 

[arobinson1984]

The tank is a 33 gal, I know they grow too big for the tank but was unaware of this when I bought them. They are both small and I plan to get a 100 gall soon. I will keep an eyeout for any bullying. Do the kissing gourami tend to bully each other or do you think it will be a different species of fish. The tank mates are in my sig, forgot to add the gourami to the list

Andy

 

[arobinson1984]

I've found this fish today stuck to my filter intake, dead!

Looking at the fish in more detail, its back end was thin and had a greeny colour inside its 'stomach' and also looked to have red marks under its skin. I'm not sure if the red marks where from where other fish had been trying to eat it after it died.

Any ideas what it could have been so I know what to look for in my other fish?

All other fish seem fine.

Andy

 

[indigoj]

Sounds like a bacterial infection. Keep a close eye on your other fish.

Kissing gourami can bully each other (the 'kissing is actually a test of strength when they lip-wrestle each other)

At 2" they are very young so need good quality veg based food.

 

[WILDER]

Your tanks overstocked with the sharks.

It sounds like a bacterial infection to me aswell.

 

[arobinson1984]

Yes I'm aware that in the long run the sharks will be too big but are fairly small at min.

The tanks highly filtered and all the fish seem happy, I will keep an eye out.

I feed cucumber once a week

Andy

 

[rabbut]

Almost deffinately internal bacteria. Get some Interpet number 9 in there ASAP. With IB, the infection moves fast and the fish are lost as soon as they show symptoms, so it's best not to hang about in delaying treatment. The Interpet med is the only one thats strong enough for most IB infections, but it is very hard on the filter IME, so be careful about overdosing. Also, you may need to remove the ADF when you treat, they tend not to like many medications

 

[arobinson1984]

My lfs don't sell the anti bacterial you mentioned for some reason.

The medication I usually use is myxazin by waterlife, would this be ok?

Andy

 

[WILDER]

The interpet med would be better.
I would try and order some online.

 

[rabbut]

Both branches of Paws for Thought, Pet City, Fetch and Tail Waggers all usually have it in stock and are based in and around Leeds. The Waterlife med it too weak for treating Internal Bacteria unfortunately

All the best
Rabbut

 

[arobinson1984]

Thanks, I've order 5 bottles from ebay as I like to have 500ml of all my medications in stock and the interpet range only seem to come in 100ml bottles whereas the protozin and myxazin both can be purchased in 500ml bottles.

Andy

 

[rabbut]

Fair enough. Any reason why you keep a lot of meds in stock? 500ml of Number 9 will treat 2,500 liters in a complete course of two doses, that's one heck of a lot to just have "lying around",..

All the best
Rabbut

 

[arobinson1984]

I guess I just like to be organised lol, plus we have 3 tanks in the house so I like to have more than enough in rather than having none and having to rush around trying to get some.

Andy