? sick dwarf gourami

[scottracy]

My tank size is 55 US gallons and has been established for approximately 16 days. I have 4 dwarf gouramis and 4 platys. My current water condition is temp (78), pH (8.0), ammonia (0.0), nitrite (.50). The gourami in question has demonstrated a decrease in activity and appetite. Last evening it stayed near the bottom of the tank and this morning it is at the top. Visual inspection reveals what I would consider a prominent abdomen. I am puzzeled because 2 nights ago the fish was fine. I have never kept gouramis before and would appreciate some insight on the situation.

THANKS

[fish_freak]

First I would get the Ph down to 6.8-7.4 The nitrites may be affecting him I know .5 is supposadly safe but no level of nitrites is truly safe. I would add some salt to the tank it helps the fish take oxygen out of the water when there is nitrite present. also does the gouramii go up to the top and gulp air alot? This could also be a cause of to much nitrite.

[scottracy]

The gouramii is not gulping at the tank top. It now is unable to maintain balance when it swims. The abdomen still appeares swollen. All other fish seem fine. I have tried to lower the pH in the last few days with a neutral regulator without success. What do you recommend? Last evening I did a 10% water cahnge in response to the nitrite level. I was unsure on how aggressive to be with the water changes at such an early stage in the aquariums biological filtration cycle/development. I added aquarium salt last weekend.

THANKS

[PumaWard]

I don't think you should fiddle with your pH at this point. Your Dwarf Gourami sounds like he has a disease called dropsy which, in most cases, is fatal. If it is dropsy, I would attribute it to the high nitrite, as Dwarves seem to be on the sensitive side when exposed to poor water conditions over a period of time. If you does have dropsy, then his scales will be sticking out making him look like a pinecone when viewed from above.

It could also be constipation which is usually caused by a non-varying diet. Try feeding him some de-skinned boiled peas and some frozen brine shrimp.

As for water changes, you should probably be doing 20% water changes everyday, or at least every other day. This shouldn't have much of an impact on the cycling process as the bacteria are not present, or there are very few of them in the water column.

HTH

[scottracy]

The Gourami died suddenly after my second posting around 1130 a.m. It had what looked like seizure activity then dropped to the bottom of the tank and was dead. I have never seen dropsy with the exception of photograps, so I am not sure if this was the cause of death. The Gourami did not have the pinecone look when viewed from above. As far as diet, I have been providing traditional flake food, blood worms and dried brine shrimp. This probably is not varied enough or the wrong combination of foods. The other fish all look healthy. In addition to the 7 adults, I also have 7 platy fry in a floating fish hatchery. I would appreciate any further suggestions and comments. I will start with the more frequent water changes. Thanks.

Scott