Problems with dwarf gouramis

C

Catahoula

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Aug 28, 2004
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A couple of months ago I purchased 2 dwarf gouramis for my 55 gallon tank. At first they did well, were active, and had good color. However, over time their color began to fade and one started looking emaciated (despite having a good appetite). It died yesterday. I fear it's mate isn't far behind. I'm worndering if there is some sort of issue with dwarf gouramis in general - it took several trips to the pet store before I found two that looked sufficiently healthy and colorful, and subsequent trips to that store and others have revealed batches of generally poor looking specimens. My roommate also purchased a pair from a different store and both died within a couple days.

My tank is 55 gallon, the other inhabitants include 2 angel fish, a brown African knife, 2 zebra danios, 4 sunset platys, and 7 cory catfish. None of the others have shown any sign of disease or distress. At last check, my ammonia and nitrate levels were fine. I was just wondering what could be wrong, or if dwarf gouramis are just ultra sensitive?

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
What is your PH? How often do you do water changes? Are you sure they are getting enough food? I wonder if the Angels bully them a bit.

When I've had problems with Dwarf Gouramis in the past it was usually due to a ph crash.
 
I don't know what it is about Dwarf Gouramis, but they seem more prone to problems when they are first introduced to a new tank than other gouramis. Sometimes they develop eating disorders where it looks like they are anemic, shrunken stomach, and oversized head; hunger strikes; or they get dropsy; and they are susceptible to ich and fungus; and the like. That's why I take a very long time to acclimatize Dwarfs to their new tank. If they can show normal behaviour and appetite after the initial 2-3 weeks, then I would say you are in the clear, which is why it's important to have a quarantine tank.

When I am successful with Dwarf gouramis, I find I am changing their water a lot...at least 20-25% weekly, and feeding a varied diet with a good portion of vegetable matter like spirulina or algae wafers once, maybe twice a day. I keep their water a little warmer than usual...like 80 degrees F instead of the usual 78. Water at a pH near 7.0 neutral seems best.

It's also a good idea to have the tank fully established and fully cycled before you introduce the Dwarf. I try to introduce a pair of gouramis to a new tank without adding any other new fish. When you add too many new fish to a tank, there will be a slight spike in ammonia and nitrite as your tank tries to accomodate the new bioload. When you add too many new fish at once, those spikes can get dangerously high. Adding less fish lessens that potential risk.

I also like to keep the tank densely planted. Male Dwarfs can get really territorial sometimes, especially with a female around, so lots of plants break up his sight-lines and provide areas for the female to hide. I also like to provide some patches of floating plants so Dwarfs will feel comfortable about hanging near the surface. Some Dwarfs shoot out a stream of water from their mouths when they get excited during feeding time, which is kind of cool.

Dwarfs are really wonderful fish. I was thinking about setting up an extra 15 gallon sitting around, and a pair of Dwarf gouramis would be really nice. Hope that helps.
 
I have not checked pH recently, but I plan to do that tonight. The tank is well established and I never add more than a couple new fish at a time. The angels never mess with the gouramis. The older angel sometimes briefly chases the other angel, but it doesn't bother anyone else and none of the other fish bother one another. I do 25% water changes about once a month, using a gravel siphon. The filter holds two pads. I change the pads about once a month also, but not at the same time as the water change, nor do I change both pads at the same time - in an attempt to disrupt the tank as little as possible during maintenance. The gouramis appeared to have good appetite. I use both floating flakes and sinking pellets. All of the fish eat well. The corys eat the pellets and the others begin with the flakes then move down and pick at the pellets when the flakes are gone. The gouramis did really well for about the first month or so, then I began to notice color fading on both and the one started to look emaciated, just as Rometiklan described. I may try increasing the temperature as well, as it has been in the 76-78 range.
 
When I am successful with Dwarf gouramis, I find I am changing their water a lot...at least 20-25% weekly, and feeding a varied diet with a good portion of vegetable matter like spirulina or algae wafers once, maybe twice a day. I keep their water a little warmer than usual...like 80 degrees F instead of the usual 78. Water at a pH near 7.0 neutral seems best.
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Over a period of 1 year I had and lost 6 Dwarf Gouramis. I followed the advice in the quote and even did larger water changes of 50% once per week at a minimum. My pH was a bit higher and this particular tank was not planted. What I have learned is that the DG likes slow moving water with a great deal of cover. More than likely sucess woukd be highest in a heavily planted tank with a cannister filter. I now have a planted 55g with co2 injection. The pH is 7.0. I have been wondering if I should give the DG another shot in this tank in the months to come. My DGs followed a similar pattern as yours before they died. They are great fish with alot of attitude but I have found them to be challenging. Many will tell you that they are very easy! On a differebt topic, I would not advise you to change your filter pads that often because they contain a great deal of beneficial bacteria. I have been using the same filter sponges/pads for almost a year. Just clean them in tank water during your normal weekly water changes. I would also advise more frequent and larger water changes vs. once monthly. Good luck!

Scott
 
Water quality parameters

I tested my water again last night. Ammonia is zero, pH is 7.4 - which I take is beyond the comfort range for dwarf gouramis. (I also tested nitrate, but my test kit is hard to read - 40, 80, & 160 all look the same color to me.) I'm probably not going to try the DG's again anytime soon. Any other suggestions as to good additions for the tank?

I had also thought about adding clown loaches at some point, but I know they are pretty sensitive. I assume that 7.4 is way too high for them as well?
 
I have 4 clown loaches and my pH is 7.8+. I have had them since Jan. They are probably the most active fish in the tank. No problems with the pH. They do prefer the water to be very clean. They can grow to a length of 6 inches and may get as big as 12 inches in the wild. The good thing is they grow slowly. They are sensitive to ick and I fought through a bad case when I first got them but they all survived.

Scott
 
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