Swollen Female Gourami's

[Jodie]

We have 3 dwarf gouramis, 2 females , 1 male. Over the past week they have been swimming in circles with their fins right up and seem 'agitated'. Tonight I have noticed that both the female gouramis have swollen like pouches behind their heads? What is this? The tank is establshed with really good water quality. We added 2 angel fish and 2 candyline loaches today and they are all getting along fine, but the gouramis are worrying me, 1 of the females is just sitting at the back out of the way, but occasionally both the females will chase each other and appear to 'bicker'. Help....!

 

[WILDER]

Could be a parasite any flicking and rubbing on objects,any red inflamed gills, can you see any parasites behind there heads, get a magiflying glass and take a look, also, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, what size tank, how many fish, and which type,the swollen patches are they the same colour as the fish, do they look like they are filled with fluid, is the tank more slimey than usual.

 

[Jodie]

Will get husband to test water now, however, I took a water sample to the LFS he tested it and said the water was fine (today) hence why we added the angels and the loaches. The bogwood in the tank has been far more slimy this week - covered in bright green algae, my husband has just cleaned the tank, but the bogwood was literally green. We have 4 Zebra danios, 3 rainbow fish, one of which also looks a bit swollen? 2 female dwarf gouramis, 1 male dwarf gourami, 2 silver angel fish and 2 candyline loaches. We did loose a rainbow fish this week, but the water tested fine and no othe fish showed any signs of bacteria or infection. Te tank is 125l. The swollen areas look the same colour as the rest of the fish.

 

[WILDER]

Angel fish really need to be in a 30gal, right where was the swelling on the other fish, have they darkened in colour what does it look like when they go to the toilet, what we are trying to find out if it's a parasite or bacteria infection, any ssign with the othr fish of flicking and rubbing on objects, any heavy breathing or rapid gill movement,this was happening before you added the new fish right.

 

[Jodie]

Our tank is 125l, I thought that was 30gal, thaths why we got the angels as I was advised that on here last week, oops should I not have bought them. the guy in the LFS said should be fine too...am now confused
The swelling on the rainbow is lower down and he looks 'pot bellied', looks slightly darker, but not overly so. Haven't noticed them going to the loo, the gouramis have been rubbing against each othe but not any plants or the bogwood.

 

[Jodie]

Oh forgot to say, didn't notice it before today, but then I was really focusing today as we added the new fish,so couldn't be 100% sure if it was thre before. Sorry.

 

[WILDER]

The pot bellied fish can it maintain it's balance in the water, are scales sticking out like a pinecone, need to no what it look like when the fish goes to the toilet, what do you feed the fish as it could also be constipation, try some shelled peas and daphnia, the swelling on the others behind the head does it look like an abcess, if i spelt that right.

 

[Jodie]

Yes, the fish do appear to be maintaining their balance in the water, the gouramis have always been in weird positions occasionally, especailly when rummaging in the gravel. The rainbow fish is now just sitting at the top gasping, so is on its way out. The gourami's swelling look like little sacs of fluid behind their heads and one of them is still sitting in the same place as she has been all night, hiding behind the plants. Should I take the angels and the loaches back tomorrw and explain,or ask the LFS to quarantine them for me to avoid and possible spread of infection? When going to the loo, it looks quite thick and dark(rainbows that is). Not as long as they normally are! We feed them tropical flakes (JBL novobel)

What could this be? The fish don't look particularly listless.

 

[Jodie]

No pinecone looking fins either.

 

[WILDER]

Is there anyway you could get a pic on to take a look,sorry it is a 30gal so you are ok, as all three got the same bulge at the back of the head, i no that type of fish are very prone to ulcers.

 

[Jodie]

Give me a few mins, will be back

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishpalace.org/danscomments.html#Lump

 

[tttnjfttt]

Are the swollen lumps on the top of the fish, sides, or bottom of the fish?
Also, what do you feed these fish?

 

[Jodie]

Pic 2 is the best shot of the Gourami that I could get.

Pic 1
Pic 2

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, that is how my bettas look when they over eat or are constipated. (Gouramis are very similar to bettas). My bet is they are constipated. Don't feed them for 24 hours, then try feeding them shelled peas. If they don't take them, don't feed them for a few days, then begin try offering them again.