View Full Version : Gouramis look like they cant breath?
Hello,
I wonder if you can help (again!)...please,
Please excuse my lack of knowledge and way of explaining this, but my two gouramis are staying at the top of the tank - look like they are trying to get air, almost as if i just fed them flakes and they are taking them from the top (although the food isnt there)..if that makes sense?
Would it be the water quality? They are both doing the same thing, fairly regularly.
Many thanks
Ghost_knife
06-26-2006, 5:59 AM
Your gourami will always do this, They belong to the group labrnth which means they take Air from the surface of the water. My massive Gold one keeps doing it, Have no fear it's normal :)
supgourami
06-26-2006, 6:40 AM
Yes, as Northstar said, gouramis and other Anabantoids, like bettas, paradise fish, etc. All have labyrinth organ, which allows them to breathe air.
So I would be concerned if your gourami WEREN'T doing this. It is absolutely normal, and they're supposed to do it.
dorkfish
06-26-2006, 9:18 AM
Well, yes, they have a labrinth organ that allows them to breath atmosphiric air, but they have gills as well and can breath air in the tank water, so I see no reason to be concerned over them not doing it. If there just staying in one place doing this, not moving much, I would definitely test the water. Almost all fish will do that when the water quality starts to go bad. If they just do it every now and then, and move around the tank when there not doing it, there fine and you don't need to test the water, this would be normal behavior.
OK great - many thanks all :)
Out of interest (and because i havent a clue!) which kit do I need again?
Someone did tell me and ive totally forgotten?
Ph level, nitrate, ?
Thanks :)
dorkfish
06-26-2006, 1:14 PM
The aquarium pharmiceuticals freshwater master test kit has every test you need for a normal (fish only) aquarium.