help fast!!!

[fishdude]

i have a neon blue dwarf gourami that is swollen and bloated, and he rarely moves, he doesnt even eat. i have already lost 1 a month ago whats wrong and how can i fix it?

[NJ Devils Fan]

I really don't know what is wrong, but I would seperate him from the rest of the fish for now.

[Ghetto2k4]

how much are u feeding your fish? sound like u are overfeeding them

[fishfrenze]

Fishdude,

Are its scales sticking out like a pinecone (look down on the fish or at an angle)? It sounds like Dropsy, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection (I believe). You can try treating him with aquarium salt (one tablespoon per 5 gallons of water). Perhaps Melafix will help too (others can comment on this)...this is a good anti-bacterial treatment. I have had four dwarf gouramis in the past 2 years and all four have died from dropsy. Bloating, decreased movement, and no eating were the exact symptoms that I saw in my fish. Toward the end, they looked like a pinecone. I have heard that the dwarf varieties are particularly susceptible to this problem so I do not know if there is a way it could have been prevented. It is very unfortunate b/c I love dwarf gouramis...their personality is great and they are beautiful fish. However, I won't buy another b/c of this problem. Good luck...I hope your guy (or girl) makes it through this.

Melanie

[OrionGirl]

What are you feeding them? Dwarf gouramies are prone to problems when not provided with a diet high in vegetation. Meaty diets can result in constipation, which can cause problems with internal organs--one of the causes of bloat.

[RTR]

Dwarf gouramis are also prone to septicemias from their horrible conditions under which they are bred and raised. They are currently the Typhoid Marys of the aquarium world.

[125gJoe]

Originally posted by RTR
.... They are currently the Typhoid Marys of the aquarium world. From what I have read on these fish, I have to agree -- they get sickly, very easily.. They are a colorful, pretty fish, but not that hardy... :(

[fishdude]

yes he did have scales sticking out but its to late he died and now theres only one left and i think im going to keep it that way:( :(

[fishdude]

some how by puting in stress releiver medicen he lived three days longer than the other one. for a little while i thought he was going to make it but he didnt

[Rometiklan]

That's too bad. Dwarf Gouramis are one of my favourite gouramis, and I like to keep them in smaller set-ups. If you can find a good local source of Dwarf Gouramis (local breeders, your local aquarium club, aquarium auctions, etc), I think you will have better luck with healthy stock then those mass-produced fish you find at your LFS. Dwarfs (Dwarves?) are very prone to dropsy in particular.

[fishdude]

well i plan to add them into a new thirty gal im setting up after cycle so i better start stocking up on meds now:(

[fishfrenze]

I'm sorry your fish didn't make it. I know how you feel...my dwarf neon blue had been my favorite and it was very difficult when he died. :(

Melanie

[fishdude]

thanks for all the help