Sick Honey Gourami And Dead Bnp

[sneezy]

Tank size: 240L
pH: 8.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20
kH:
gH:
tank temp: 79

The tank has been running about 6 wks but have cloned it from my old tank so current filtration is fluval 305 (6 wks old) fluval 3+ (10 mths old) and fluval U2 (4 mths old)

Current stocking (at lunchtime) 8 RN tetras, 10 black neon tetras, 2 bristlenose plecs, 1 silvertip tetra - all transferred from old tank then 6 corydoras added 10th feb and 6 red honey gouramis and a talking catfish added 15th Feb.

Have been regularly testing (API liquid) for mini cycle but so far stats have remained perfect. We do a 25-30% water change every sunday plus quick sand clean and top up as and when needed.

Think that is all the background

Tank has been running beautiful with all inhabitants getting on and tank seemed to be thriving. I've had a little green algae on the glass and some cotton wool fungus on the bogwood but have kept the light off for longer and kept an eye on nitrates and it seems welll under control.

Anyway looked over about half hr ago and all the black neons were shoaled by the U2 and looked like they were trying to swim upwards. The corys were huddled in the other corner under the external filter intake. Thought it was a bit strange so had a close look and noticed a gourami hiding at the back resting on the sand, gasping. He also appeared to be leaning against a rock. Immediately got my test kit out but all stats seem perfect (see above)

Noticed he seemed a bit bloated so put some peeled peas in and gave the sand a quick clean while I was there. While looking at gourami noticed something else at back of tank. Closer inspection showed it to be a dead BNP. (It was an albino so pretty well camoflaged)

Immediately removed it - no sign of disease although was very black around the sides which i though was a bit strange as it was def alive this afternoon so can't have been dead long. It had seemed to be in perfect health although was a lot smaller than the other BN, although they were the same size when purchased last yr sometime.

The gourami is showing no sign of disease other than sitting on the bottom and panting.

I haven't got a hospital tank and although I have a plastic box big enough and can use one of the filters I haven't got a spare heater.

I really don't know what could be causing the problem and what to do for the best.

I have some aquarium salt and stress coat+. Should I add either of these for medicinal purposes.

I've been lucky not to encounter fish illness before so am very clueless I'm afraid.

Any help would be gratefully received and sorry for the incredibly long post.

 

[WILDER]

I would preform a water change.
Once fish labour breath and lay to oneside and are bloated the chance of survival are slim. You could try a bacterial med but it might finish the fish off.
Are scales sticking out.
I would issolate the fish to the container at the top of the tank.
The dead fish have fish been pecking at it.

 

[sneezy]

Dead fish had not been pecked at. Will do a water change. What % do you suggest? What could I use to isolate the fish at the top of the tank. my mate has a breeding box but I won't be able to pick it up till tomorrow morning.

oh and the scales look normal. all the other fish now appear to be acting normally as well.

 

[WILDER]

30% water change.
Do you have a tupperware box or icecream box.

 

[sneezy]

not an empty one. Will get my mates breeding box at school run tomorrow and hope for best overnight. Hubby doing water change now.

Thanks for your help. will do progress report in the morning

 

[WILDER]

Ok. Good Luck.

 

[sneezy]

This morning the gourami is hiding under a bit of bog wood. Two others seem really lethargic and are sitting on the bottom rather than moving. None are gasping or panting for breath. I noticed one of them did a really long stringy poo thins morning. It was the colour of normal poo.

They are absolute gannits. So much so that i've been putting the corys food at the back amongst the rocks so they actually get something to eat. Is it possible that the gouramis are just hugely constipated due to overeating?

Should I fast the tank for 2 days just offering cooked peas and see if I see any improvement.

Should I do daily water changes till I see improvement or would that be pointless seeing as my stats are ok?

Many Thanks

 

[WILDER]

How are the fish now.

 

[sneezy]

They seem ok. They seem to be spending alot of time either sitting on the bottom or right at the top at the waters surface but also have periods of activity. I haven't fed them anything except cooked peas and their poo seems a bit better.

They no longer seem unwell but their behaviour seems a little strange but as I haven't had them long I don't know if this normal gourami behaviour.

 

[WILDER]

If there acting lethagic and listless I think I would add a bacterial med to the tank with losing quite a few fish now.

 

[JewelesR]

I know this is from 2 years ago but I am having the same problem with one of my honey gouramis. Did your fish get better? Why did you give them cooked peas? I read online to add salt to the water? Any suggestions?