a couple weeks ago I noticed one of my dwarf powder blue Gourami was not coming up to the top to get air. Interestingly, I had JUST read an article that insisted that Gourami are "obligatory air breathers" meaning they must come up for air while Betta's are "Facilitative air breathers" that only do it when oxygen is low in their tank. Well watch her for over a week NEVER go up for air, yet stay alive, I think I can conclude that Gourami's are also facilitative air breathers.
In addition she was swimming in place at the bottom of the tank - staying in one place - but with an odd tilt to her body. Once fish kept trying to get her to mate (at least I think that's what it was).
As far as I know she hasn't eaten during this time either, even when offered Tubiflex (all them love it). So in case it was infectious I moved my 5 Rasbora's to one of my larger tanks and used their little 5 gallon as a hospital tank. At that point I could pick her up with my hand any time I wanted to - no protest at all.
I diagnosed Swim Bladder disease (too many Tubiflex LOL) have withheld food (even though as far as I know she hasn't eaten for over 3 weeks) and today I tried to feed her a pealed pea to clean her out - she wasn't interested. Tried to feed her something else - she isn't interested. But she is a LOT more lively and now instead of laying at the bottom of the tank all the time she's hanging out at the top of the tank - but it still looks like she isn't taking any air - or not much, no air bubbles. Other than thin SHE looks fine.
Any suggestions on what I should try next?
Oh -out of curiosity I fed her old tank mate some peas - they hadn't been fed all day so they all rushed to eat them - took one bite, spit it out and now I have a bunch of peas at the bottom of the tank. So I know it's always suggested as a fiber laxative for fish - any other ideas that a fish will actually eat?
In addition she was swimming in place at the bottom of the tank - staying in one place - but with an odd tilt to her body. Once fish kept trying to get her to mate (at least I think that's what it was).
As far as I know she hasn't eaten during this time either, even when offered Tubiflex (all them love it). So in case it was infectious I moved my 5 Rasbora's to one of my larger tanks and used their little 5 gallon as a hospital tank. At that point I could pick her up with my hand any time I wanted to - no protest at all.
I diagnosed Swim Bladder disease (too many Tubiflex LOL) have withheld food (even though as far as I know she hasn't eaten for over 3 weeks) and today I tried to feed her a pealed pea to clean her out - she wasn't interested. Tried to feed her something else - she isn't interested. But she is a LOT more lively and now instead of laying at the bottom of the tank all the time she's hanging out at the top of the tank - but it still looks like she isn't taking any air - or not much, no air bubbles. Other than thin SHE looks fine.
Any suggestions on what I should try next?
Oh -out of curiosity I fed her old tank mate some peas - they hadn't been fed all day so they all rushed to eat them - took one bite, spit it out and now I have a bunch of peas at the bottom of the tank. So I know it's always suggested as a fiber laxative for fish - any other ideas that a fish will actually eat?