Gourami Barrel Roll?!?!

**Faeleigh** · 06-09-2012, 5:11 PM

I just bought 2 new Gouramis thursday. Both females, I put them in the tank with my other 2 Gouramis, a male and larger female. Well my larger female wasnt happy and started nipping fins so I moved the two little females into my other 30 gallon tank. It has some tetras, a guppie, a plattie, a molly, a pleco and some ghost shrimp. The Ghost shrimp went in the tank on thursday too. I did a water 50% change yesterday because it was that time. Well this morning I noticed one of my gouramis doing barrel rolls. I checked the ph its about 7.8 which is what it usually is constantly and I havent had any problems due to PH that I know of. I just recently had a guppie (about 4 days ago) die from dropsy. ( Was a fish I got from someone else she was sick when I got her.) My gourami is still alive atm but I have moved her into a small 1gallon tank. I havent had any problems in my new tank (also a 30 gal) just this old tank. Any ideas what is going on here?

The fish are feed dried shrimp and tropical fish food 1-2 times a day. And a pea without the shell about once a week. The temp in the tank is about 78 degress. ph 7.8

**jm1212** · 06-09-2012, 5:42 PM

What are your other parameters?

How about any other symptoms?

Was the temp of the water you added significantly different?

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**Faeleigh** · 06-09-2012, 5:48 PM

Parameters???

Only things she is doing is sinking to the bottom, then barrell rolling, floating to the top, then some more barrell rolling.
The water going into the tank was close to or the same as the water already in it, I test it. I did water changes on both tanks yesterday, nothing wrong with the fish in my other tank.

**jm1212** · 06-09-2012, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by Faeleigh

Parameters???

Only things she is doing is sinking to the bottom, then barrell rolling, floating to the top, then some more barrell rolling.
The water going into the tank was close to or the same as the water already in it, I test it. I did water changes on both tanks yesterday, nothing wrong with the fish in my other tank.

Your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels.

What kind of gouramis are these?

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**loser** · 06-09-2012, 6:22 PM

I'd guess it's swim bladder disease or constipation. (if a fish is constipated it presses against the swim bladder & throws the fish off balance).

High nitrates also affect the swim bladder but since you just did a big water change that seems unlikely.

I'd try some salt in the tank, or perhaps a couple quick dips in epsom salt mix, that usually helps constipation.

Good luck!

**fineexampl** · 06-09-2012, 6:28 PM

why are multiple gouramis being kept in that small a tank? sounds overstocked on top of whatever is wrong with the water quality. also, why ghost shrimp with gourami? they will only eat them. if that's the choice, than hey have at it. doesn't sound like a happy home IMO.

edit: ok i didnt see only 1 male gourami, but are you sure it's only 1??

**jm1212** · 06-09-2012, 6:34 PM

Originally Posted by loser

I'd guess it's swim bladder disease or constipation. (if a fish is constipated it presses against the swim bladder & throws the fish off balance).

High nitrates also affect the swim bladder but since you just did a big water change that seems unlikely.

I'd try some salt in the tank, or perhaps a couple quick dips in epsom salt mix, that usually helps constipation.

Good luck!

I wouldn't add salt to the tank, unless it was Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). NaCl probably wouldn't be the right fit. MgSO4 will aid with osmotic difficulties. You can also try feeding a cooked, shelled pea for constipation.

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**Faeleigh** · 06-09-2012, 7:23 PM

She is still alive, and yes I am sure I only have one male. The male is in a different talk from this fish anyway, this fish is in a tank with another female gourami, Im not entirely sure on the kind of gourami other than she is kinda tiger stripped and blue. Ive got her in a little one gallon because thats the only other tank I have, I put the pea in first thing when I moved her, shes not eating it... to busy doing barrel rolls. Um I added a teaspoon of API aquarium salt, I do that with all my sick fish now. and I called the lady at the fish store I got her from and she said to do that. I cant check the levels of anything other than the PH, I did water change yesterday so everything SHOULD be fine. All the other fish are acting totally normal. Any other suggestions or ideas?