Bloated Honey Gourami

[PumaWard]

Hi all,

I have a slight problem with my honey gourami and I don't know what it is so maybe someone can help out.

Within the last week he has become etremely bloated, looks like dropsy but he lacks a pine cone appearence (I'ved checked several times). He also swims with his head down at like a 30 degree angel and has become very skittish. His color is a little less intense but still quite vibrant. All the other fish in the tank are fine (2 Discus, 7 glowlighs, 4 otos, 2 kuhlies, and 3 cories).

38g tank, there's no ammonia or nitrite, temp stays between 84F-86F, I do weekly 40% water changes, and feed a varied diet. I am also almost positive he's not constipated (I've tried epsoms salt just in case anyway). The only thing I can think of is that he's not getting enough veggies, but would that cause his problems?

Thanks for any help,
Puma

 

[vato]

sounds like it could be two things to me. one, it could be swim badder problems, which, unfortunatly, there is nothing you can do. Or sceondly, could be some intestinal blockage. And to tell you the truth, the second is more likely. the blockage in the intestinal track causes a build up of gas in their gut and thus causes the fish to have a hard time swimming, this would explain the odd way he is floating. In the case that it is intestinal blockage, you should feed your fish a thawed skinned pea. This should help remove the blockage. This blockage usually is the result of both a sensitive digestive system(because fish are so small) and substandard food. I would consider upgrading the food that you use in addition to using frozen or live food as a diet supplement. The lack of veggies could have indeed caused the problem, but they also need meat protein as omnivores.

 

[PumaWard]

Thanks for the help.

I already feed high quality foods (Sera Discus Premium, frozen brine, freeze dried tubifex, etc) however, thinking back now, I usually feed higher protein foods (for the discus) so I will try to get him to other foods though he hasn't been eating. I'll put him in a q-tank soon if he won't accept them.

 

[vato]

If you really think that it's not intestinal problems the only thing you can do is wait it out. So now there is the possiblity of swim badder trouble which is a lost cause to try and fix.

 

[PumaWard]

What ever it was, he passed on in the night. It probably was intestinal, to much of an imbalanced diet for a gourami.

Thanks for the help any way.