Sick Gouramis

[Spooky76]

Hi peeps, just wondering if anybody knows what could be wrong with my 2 dwarf gouramis. Water stats are ammona 0 Nitrite 0 Nitrate <0.5. PH 7.
I removed all fish from the tank on Sunday while I put my new backing in the tank, which went fine. But I noticed before I took them out that they are just hovering around the corner both of them.

Now they are back in the corner and not eating. I have tried giving them veggies but they just wont eat. There are no signs at all that anything is wrong with them other than that. I lost one about a month ago that went the same way - and I still dont know why.

Any ideas ?

Stu

 

[Spooky76]

Got home and ran to check on them...one of them is now just about floating, he seems like he can only use his little fins at the side to swim. The other is floating around and not really looking good either...think im going to lose them Have added both internal bacteria from Interpet (9) and some melafix

 

[-germ-]

Really theres no way to guess whats going on, IMO you are going about things the right way.
Just taking an educated guess with treatments is all you can do.
I assume you've checked all these but its the signs less ommonly checked for;
The check the anus question, is it red or inflamed?
Is there any slight kinks in their spine?
Has their been a mild change in colouration, if so, pale or dark?

Hovering is most commonly associated with poisoning and/or hypoxia or as a response to bullying....

Make sure the water is well aerated.

Sorry i can't be of more help.

 

[Spooky76]

Hi germ,

yes checked all that...was clutching at straws hoping there was something I had overlooked.

Nothing visibly wrong no. ive increased aeration by putting Eheim at max and adding airstone. Will see how it goes.

Thanks for your help.

 

[WILDER]

Gouramis are very prone to bacterial infections.
Have the fish gone pale or darkered in colour.
Sounds like they were already ill and the stress mioving them has made them worse.
To be honest its not sounding to hopeful.

 

[Spooky76]

Yeh - I searched google for a good hour last night, seems like they arent going to make it. I will continue with medication, dont want to give up yet.
The last 2 dont seem discoloured. Only think I can see is that the fin on the top isnt sticking up as much as usual.

I will add some more melafix tonight, if nothing else it smells nice

One of the last 2 has just eaten something tho maybe theres hope yet

 

[Spooky76]

They are both still alive today, but not eating.
I have just noticed that the blue one has like white cotton wool around his anus....any ideas ? I will go search google in the meantime....

 

[-germ-]

Sounds like cotton wool disease, this can often be as a result of damage caused by parasitic infection, considering it is near an anus then i'd look at this first amongst others, most fungal disorders are secondary illnesses. Possibly columnaris which although resembles a fungus is a result of bacterial infection.
I'd look for a treatment with phenoxyethanol (try king british meds) this has fungicidal properties as well as being suitable for bacterial illness allowing for mis-diagnosis...
Try googling camallanus a parasite commonly associated with rectal damage.
If it is as a result of camallanus i'd treat this second as in a healthy fish you would expect to see emaciation before serious risk of death. No guarantees though...

 

[Spooky76]

Thanks Germ, Just asked the Mrs to nip to pets at home on her way back.
Will try and find a med with that in.

Yip - looked on google, your right. Hope she can get something.

THanks for taking the time to post germ.

Stu

 

[Spooky76]

Well they are still in the land of the living this morning However the one that is eating looks the worst. Got a very long stringy white poo coming out, must be very annoying for it

Will try and get some med today.