Dwarf Gourami losing color

A

appaloosatb

Took the road less taken
May 24, 2002
55
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Byron, MN
appaloosatb.bookcrossing.com
I think my new male Dwarf Gourami is sick. He was bought from Wal*mart (ours is actually pretty nice btw) on the 10th and was doing well adjusting to the tank until yesterday morning, when I noticed his color starting to fade. He almost looks as if he's beginning to get a fungal infection or is getting beat up by something bigger than him. I haven't seen any evidence of the other fish in the tank picking on him (or for that matter noticing him at all), but I do have some 1" danios that I would suspect if anything. The discoloration looks kind of like his skin is turning greyish-brown and flaking off. Sorry about the bad description, but I'll try to get a picture up later tonight. Suggestions?

Tank water tests: Amm and nitrites are at 0ppm, Nitrates are around 5ppm.
 
quarantine it somehow if possible and melafix for the moment. it is a mild anti-bacterial and is supposed to be good with all sorts of wounds. that should make sure it isn't getting beaten up and keep anything from getting infected or bacterial problems from getting worse.

i'm sorry but the symptoms aren't doing alot for me...........
 
I don't have a quarantine tank currently set up - my 5gal eclipse quarantine sprang a leak about 1/2 way down and had to be trashed. :(

Does this guy look okay to you? It's difficult to see in the photo, but the grey patches spread all the way back to about 1/2 way down his top fin. I'm starting to think this might be "normal" coloration, but I wanted to double-check since I spent a good ten minutes looking over the fish at the store before buying them and didn't notice this coloration on any of the males there, it only "appeared" about 4 days after the purchase. And of course, I spend a lot of time watching my aquariums, so it's something I would've noticed! ;) He also doesn't seem to be adjusting quite as quickly as the female, although it has only been six days so I'm not too worried yet. While the girl has been swimming happily around the tank for the last three days or so, exploring everything she finds, he just sits in the corner hiding behind the plants or rocks.

Advise? I have no clue where to go with this one. :o :( :confused:

mdwarfgourami.jpg
 
My males both had a bit of grey along their spine. It seemed more noticable when they were unhappy, but was there all the time. If it isn't fuzzy looking, I wouldn't worry muc, just watch and see.

I wouldn't worry much about the behavior--males tend to pick a territory and spend a lot of time gaurding it--especially if you have a female for him to court, and zippy fish like danios that annoy the heck out of him.
 
I had a 3 spot Gourami in my one tank from the start of it and shortly after I picked up a Dwarf and the same thing happened to my dwarf. I got him home , knowing nothing of putting 2 males in a tank together and my 3 spot went to work on him. 3 hours after putting him in there I had noticed the Dwarf chillin' inthe corner all curled up , back half of him had gone Grey in color , just sitting there in the "fishy fetal position" I felt horrible and couldn't watch him suffer through it as even the Danio's I had were picking on him. The next day I had to take him back to where I got him. If you're other fish aren't bullying it, I would think along the lines of Oriongirls explanation...maybe your Danio's are buggin' him?
 
This seems to be a nasty problem that gouramis especially dwarves, are susceptible to....we receive entire batches at work that come down with it, and can lose much of them if it isn't treated quickly. The fish usually has a gray patchy appearance not unlike that of "body fungus", especially located on the upper area behind the dorsal fin. They often appear to be struggling to swim as well, making a back and forth labored action with their pectoral fins. Usually, if it is noticed early, we jack up the heat to 82 (slowly) , add a little bit of salt, and treat with Maracide. I suggest if you do this method that you isolate your gourami in a breeder net, and add extra airstones to the tank for the other fish since the heat is up.... do small water changes once a day before adding the meds....and i wish you luck...
 
Thanks to everyone for all of the advice! I will continue to keep this guy under close watch, but I feel much better now knowing that it may just be his regular coloring. Thanks! :)
 
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