Dwarf gourami disease identification - help!

[miss jess]

just had to put an almost-dead indian glass fish in the freezer. he was flipping around in the current. strange thing is, i couldn't see any signs of disease after studying his body.

the female dwarf gourami is almost dead, she's sitting vertically in a plant. i'll get her out soon and use some clove oil to anesthetise her before putting her in the freezer

 

[NegativeLogic]

I had a somewhat similar health issue with my dwarf gouramis that I succesfully treated with a combination of Maracyn and Maracyn II. I understand that antibiotics are hard to come by for this purpose in Australia - but would a vet possibly prescribe them? Not sure how it works exactly, but it's just a thought.

I have also installed a UV sterilizer in the tank they are in to be on the safe side, and haven't had any problems since (plus it makes the water crystal clear). It increases the water's redox potential which can help the fish fight off infection themselves.

If you can't medicate, I'd step up the water changes to daily, as that can help them to fight off the infection.

Oh, and for the Pimafix and Melafix, I can't remember which of the two it is, but I remember reading about people having bad experiences with one of them and labyrinth fish. I don't know how accurate that is, but it's worth considering. It's also worth considering that a lot of people think Pimafix and Melafix are either snake oil, or at best, the "chicken soup and/or orange juice" of fish medicine.

 

[miss jess]

I had a somewhat similar health issue with my dwarf gouramis that I succesfully treated with a combination of Maracyn and Maracyn II. I understand that antibiotics are hard to come by for this purpose in Australia - but would a vet possibly prescribe them? Not sure how it works exactly, but it's just a thought.

i think the vet who treats my rats also treats fish. i think it's too late for my fish now, but next time something like this happens i will check if she can prescribe fish meds.

I have also installed a UV sterilizer in the tank they are in to be on the safe side, and haven't had any problems since (plus it makes the water crystal clear). It increases the water's redox potential which can help the fish fight off infection themselves.

i was saving up for a python gravel vac, but i think i will put the money towards a uv sterilizer now. i can get one quite cheaply thankfully.

If you can't medicate, I'd step up the water changes to daily, as that can help them to fight off the infection.

Oh, and for the Pimafix and Melafix, I can't remember which of the two it is, but I remember reading about people having bad experiences with one of them and labyrinth fish. I don't know how accurate that is, but it's worth considering. It's also worth considering that a lot of people think Pimafix and Melafix are either snake oil, or at best, the "chicken soup and/or orange juice" of fish medicine.

i know pimafix and melafix aren't great but there's not a whole lot else we have access to in australia. i usually only use it as a preventative or for very minor problems (which this was at the start).

thank you for your help!

 

[fabiobruno]

About fertilizers I was referring to the aquasoil you added before all this started.
Maybe the poison that is killing your fish is under your gravel.

The air pump is also known as air stone, it is a a pump used to increase the agitation, and so the aeration of the water in the tank. A lot of people suggesting increasing aeration when fish are sick.

Can you get the Interpet "Anti Internal Bacteria" in Australia? That worked for me.

Good luck again, keep us posted.
Fabio

 

[miss jess]

About fertilizers I was referring to the aquasoil you added before all this started.
Maybe the poison that is killing your fish is under your gravel.

it's definitely possible. i've never heard of aquasoil causing these kind of problems in fish though

The air pump is also known as air stone, it is a a pump used to increase the agitation, and so the aeration of the water in the tank. A lot of people suggesting increasing aeration when fish are sick.

ahh okay. i've already got a 20cm bubble wall. the canister output is also at the surface of the water, agitating it, and i've got a HOB doing some agitation too.

Can you get the Interpet "Anti Internal Bacteria" in Australia? That worked for me.

Good luck again, keep us posted.
Fabio

nah can't get it unfortunately

female gourami died last night. male gourami has no top lip left whatsoever yet is still eating!

 

[miss jess]

i've got some jungle brand 'tank buddies' fungus clear that says it also treats bacterial problems. should i use them? active ingredients are nitrofurazone, furazolidone, potassium dichromate

 

[miss jess]

mr gourami was on his side gasping near the surface. he got the clove oil and vodka treatment and is in the freezer

with using clove oil - does it actually work? because it's an oil it just sits on the surface of the water, it doesn't disperse.

i'll be interested to see if the danios and pristellas stick around, as well as the two remaining indian glass fish.

 

[miss jess]

after reading this article
http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/00388mycoarticle.pdf
i am now positive that my dwarf gouramis (and other fish) died of mycobacteriosis (fish tuberculosis), hence why none of the meds worked. near the start of the saga a very knowledgeable friend of mine suggested fish tb but i wasn't sure. turns out that he was right.

i'll now be purchasing a UV sterilizer before i add any more fish