Sick Gourami - Ulcers *Help quickly*

[bjmagik]

I have a gourami that i have just recently purchased. A couple of days ago i noticed an ulcer on his head above his eye and now 4-5 days later he is covered in them. They are extremely inflamed and it seems as though they now have slight fungus growing from them. The fish didn't seem real bothered by them until i moved him from the tank and isolated him today. He has now stopped eating. I have tried a number of fungus and antibacterial treatments over the past week but it keeps getting worse. Please help as quick as possible.

 

[sylvia]

It sounds like lymphocystis to me. Unfortunately, this is caused by a virus so most of the usual treatments will do nothing. Acriflavin is the only product I have heard of success with. Others may claim they help but do little, if anything. I would concentrate on keep the water in excellent condition and treat the fungus. You need to verify whether this is actual fungus (fluffy, white-grey, kind of like a fibrous mold) or a bacterial culumnaris infection (which isn't quite as fluffy ). If you decide it is the former, get a product that says it treats fungus (usualy it will incoroporate methylene blue). If you decide on the latter, you will need a broad-spectrum anti-biotic to kill the bacteria. Both can take a while to cure so be patient. Salt may also help. Unfortunately, though curing the secondary infection will help to minimize stress on the fish, there is very little you can do to help with the lympho. As I said before, if you can get Acriflavin that would be your best bet. Otherwise, you'll have to hope the fish can fight it on its own - clean water, minnimal stress and a good diet will help. You can try some other products that say they treat lympho but most likely they won't help. It is unfortunate that the fish has stopped eating though - this is never a good sign. Good luck! And don't feel too bad - I doubt this was your fault - the fish probably was sick already when you bought it.

 

[brissiegal]

I bought a batch of dwarf neons last year...they all died with exactly the same symptoms!
some of the red ulcers started off on their mouths, some had the red sores in different places on the body

I asked at the lfs and they told me it was herpes!! (another lfs suggested t.b.!???)


(I am very careful where I get my fish from now...all ten dwarfs broke out in these sores within a few days of me getting them so the source was bad)

I have only seen these red sores symptoms in dwarf gouramis up til now - maybe this species is more susceptible (other fish in same tank never 'caught' it!)

it upset me so much that I have never bought a dwarf neon since
shame cos they are such beautiful fish

 

[Inchworm]

Hi bjmagik

Welcome to the forum.

With nothing else but the description you gave and the fact that they are new to your tank, I would think it's probably a bacterial infection. This is a very common thing to happen as a result of stress and poor living conditions during shipping from their breeder to the distributor, to the lfs. and finally to you.

A good antibiotic, used for longer than you think necessary, is a good way to start. Be sure to clean the tank well before beginning treatment, and add an airstone to increase the oxygen content in the water. It will also help if you keep the temperature no higher than around 75 degrees F.

If you have Melafix, that might even help. I've seen it work wonders on a gourami with raw ulcers, but if it doesn't show improvement in a day or two, move right on to the antibiotic. Either Kanamycin, or Maracyn and Maracyn 2 are good. Of course, since you don't have your location in your profile, I'm not sure you can get them. If you live in the UK, try using Waterlife’s Myxazin or Interpet’s Anti-Fungus and Finrot.

Good luck. I hope it gets well soon.

 

[bjmagik]

My gourami is still sick and still covered with ulcers. I have tried treating him over the last couple of weeks with Bactonex,Triple-sulfa and also Fugus-ade but i have had no improvement. I'm surprised the poor thing is still living. Today i've noticed that he has long stringy faeces so i'm not too sure of the reason for this although i don't think he's eaten for a good 4-5 days.

Since there hasn't been an improvement with either treatment, could it be a parasite Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi bjmagik

I'm saddened that after all this time, you are not posting back to bring us good news.

I'm not familiar with two of the three products you are using so I guess you are not in the US. It always helps if you put your location in your profile.

Anyway, it's not a good sign that he hasn't improved by now. Perhaps, as sylvia suggested, it is lymphocystis. Are you changing some of his water daily? It's important to keep the tank very clean, no matter what the illness is.

You might try tempting him with live food. I've never known a gourami to pass up blackworms or tubifex. If you could keep his strength up, he might still have a chance. As a rule, gouramis are strong fish who do not give up easily.

Please check back and see if sylvia posts again. She knows a lot about this kind of thing.

Good luck. I hope he starts to improve soon.

 

[bjmagik]

I'm in New South Wales/Australia and yes i have been doing daily water changes. I've been trying to feed him bloodworms each day but he's not the slightest bit interested in them. The ingredients for the products that i have been using are as follows: Triple-sulfa = sulfadiazine, sulfadimidine, sufamerazine as the monosodium salts. Fundus-Ade = Malachite Green, Formaldehyde solution, dehydroabietylamine acetate, acriflavine. Bactonex = Aminacrine, hydrochloride, methylene blue.

 

[brissiegal]

I'm in New South Wales/Australia and yes i have been doing daily water changes. I've been trying to feed him bloodworms each day but he's not the slightest bit interested in them. The ingredients for the products that i have been using are as follows: Triple-sulfa = sulfadiazine, sulfadimidine, sufamerazine as the monosodium salts. Fundus-Ade = Malachite Green, Formaldehyde solution, dehydroabietylamine acetate, acriflavine. Bactonex = Aminacrine, hydrochloride, methylene blue.

I have used all those products....try pimafix
its a bit 'stronger'...you can get that over here

 

[bjmagik]

My little friend died this afternoon but thanks for everyone's help. It was appreciated!!!!