Lace Gourami not eating.

[Mulla]

Hi all

I did a search on 'not eating' but didn't manage to find anything that's related to my case.

Here's the parameters
25G (newly cycled)
Fluval 404
1 Female Lace Gourami
1 Female 3 spot Gourami
1 Red tail Shark

All 3 fishes were added last week from the same LFS. All are eating well except for the lace gourami. She usually just floats on top fo the tank. But does swim normally on occassion. I'd say she's only moving half the amount of the 3 spot gourami.

Now I know the lace is generally more shy when compared to other gouramis. Does she need a companion? Since I heard that they are best kept in pairs?

Should I get some brine shrimp to try and get her to eat? She does seemed to have gotten a bit skinner since I got her.

Yes the shark does have his own cave and doesn't bother the others unless they come close to his cave.


Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Hebdizzle]

wow a fluval 404 sure is a lot of filtration for a 25 gallon tank. You say your tank is newly cycled. Are both the ammonia and nitrite levels both at 0? If not, they could be harming your fish.

[Mulla]

Yes I added ammonia to water before heading to work and then tested after work and made sure that both ammonia and nitrite are at 0 before I added the fish.

Well I do plan to get a 55G later so that's why I got the 404 :D

[Hebdizzle]

how much ammonia did you add before going to work? NO tanks have the ammonia and nitrite level down to 0 by the end of the day if you added a correct amount of ammonia.

aaron

[Mulla]

I added ammonia to 2.0ppm. Since I've read various people saying the full 5.0ppm will hinder nitrifying bacteria.

The thing is I've tested daily for the week after adding the fish and both ammonia and nitrite are at 0. So I would imagine that I do have enough bacteria to support the 3 occupants?

[Mulla]

I got 2 more Lace Gourami 1 Male and 1 Female in additional to the Female. They all hang out together now so I guess it must be loney and didn't want to eat.