Sick Dwarf Gourami

[stardust2me]

Tank size: 29 gal
pH: 7.2
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20
kH:120
gH:150
tank temp: 82 F


Fish Symptoms :
Saturday night I noticed that my gourami was hiding a lot more than usual and staying near the bottom of the tank. Then on Monday I noticed that he was not eating as much as he ussually does. Tuesday night I noticed that he is looking very skinny, pale and has some strange dark (looks black) spots on both sides of his body. Gourami is still hiding a lot and ate a little last night but does not want to eat today. One more thing I forgot to mention was that he looks a little swollen. I have removed him from my main tank and put him in the QT. All my other fish look perfectly healthy. I have had this fish for about 4 months and no problems have arised until now.

Volume and Frequency of water changes:
10% water changes every week and 50% water change once a month

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
I use seachem water stabilizer with my 50% water changes.

Tank inhabitants:
1 clown loach
3 dwarf puffers
1 kissing gourami
2 bala sharks
2 angel fish
1 blue powder gourami
1 dwarf puffer is in quarantine tank at the moment

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
Monday I added java fern to my tank but gourami was acting strange before the plant was added

Exposure to chemicals:
I have not used any medicines or other chemicals besides that seachem water stabilizer.

 

[MartinD]

First off, Hi and welcome to the forum

When the gourami has been eating, have you noticed his poo being different to normal?
White and stringy perhaps? If so, that's an internal parasitical infection which needs to be
treated asap, however most likely has already taken much to strong a hold for you to be
able to fix him Try cooking some frozen peas for a while. Peel the shells off and crush them
in between your fingers.. see if he eats them.


Slightly off topic..

You only have 1 clown loach in your tank. They like to be kept in small groups.. I'd say minimum of 3.
I'd get another 2 in there when you've managed to stabilise things a bit although most folks WILL tell
you that this tank is too small for 3 clown loaches

Dwarf puffers and Angels aren't a good mix.. the puffers will nip the angels fins given a chance. What's
up with the puffer?

Although you say that you added the fern after the Gourami became ill, did you clean it thoroughly?

 

[stardust2me]

Last week i did noticed it had a long trail of stringy white poo. I will try feeding him some peas and see if he will eat some.

Thanks for the advice.

I would like to get more loaches but I don't want to overcrowd my tank. I am just waiting until I have enough for a bigger tank. I also want to see how I can handle a 29 gal tank before going bigger.

About the puffers I just love them things. I think they are so cute. I didn't find out until later that puffers and angel fish don't go well with eachother but they have been fine so far.

I did make sure to clean the fern thourougly. I don't want to get all my fish sick.

 

[stardust2me]

Yesterday I went out to the lfs and bought some parasite medicine for my gourami and he seems to be feeling better. I also added some aquarium salt to the qt. Shortly after I added the salt and meds he began to swim around and he felt like eating.

 

[MartinD]

Glad to hear it

Be careful with adding salt though - I only tend to do that if I have the fish in a QT tank... you don't want your fish becoming dependant on salt water

 

[stardust2me]

He is in the quarantine tank. It is a 10 gal tank I only added 2 tsp. Is that a good amount? I was afraid to add more because I don't want him to die or get even more stressed out.

 

[MartinD]

yeah that's probably right.

To be honest, I don't even measure it when I use it. I just pour it in till I think it's enough. It's always worked okay for me

How is he now?

 

[stardust2me]

Unfortunately he passed away not too long ago.