Dwarf Gourami - The "Dying" Fish

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tolawdjk

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Sep 8, 2010
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About at my wits end on Dwarf Gouramis. Bought two for my 46gal community tank. Wife loved the color. I think I have replaced one or the other with petco's return policy at least three times now. Water checks fine, tank has cycled, everything else happy and healthy. Just can't keep a dwarf alive. They are fine for a week or so, then get real interested in the top of the tank, just sitting there, then go all sideways.

Any body have any suggestions for a replacement type? I was thinking possibly Paradise fish if I can find some, or even a betta, though I'm thinking I have a little too much flow in the tank for a betta, and I've never tried one in a community tank.

Rest of the tank is a couple small shoals of neons and head/tail light tetras, and a mix of platys and swords.
 
When you say they are real interested in the top of the tank does it look like they are trying to get air? Is it possible you don't have enough aeration? It sounds like your other fish are doing fine. So maybe not. I am not sure if some fish require more oxygen than others. I am not an expert by any means, but thought I would at least mention. Good Luck!
 
Well, dwarf gourami disease is common among DGs:
http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-health/disease-prevention/fish-viral-disease.aspx

Note the part where it says:
The thick-lipped gourami (Colisa labiosa) and the banded gourami (Colisa fasciatus) are both similar in size, temperament and coloration and make excellent alternatives.

Paradisefish could work, they are bigger and more aggressive. I just saw some beautiful hi-fin platies at Petco the other day. Lots of color and activity.

One thing though...DGD is usually marked by lack of appetite and ulcers, not hanging out at the top and losing their coordination.
 
It's almost as if they are trying to get oxygen, but I can't imagine oxygen being an issue...my kids love da bubblers ( I have to have the only tank in existance with an 8" T-Rex and a pink unicorn), plus I have two power heads boosting the undergravel filter.

They sit there, like they are sucking air, for about a half day, and then things just go south from that. Zero movement, loss of balance, then the big flush.
 
How much space between the top of your water and the lid, if any, on your aquarium? Gouramis need to be able to gulp air when they swim to the water's surface and if you don't have any air space available for them, or inadequate air space, that could be the problem -- or at least part of it.
 
Right now? About 2-3 inches.

As to your sig...

Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. My folks came out to see the grands over the holiday weekend. Brought one of the most glorious sights I have seen in years...two cases of bottled Free State.


lookit said:
How much space between the top of your water and the lid, if any, on your aquarium? Gouramis need to be able to gulp air when they swim to the water's surface and if you don't have any air space available for them, or inadequate air space, that could be the problem -- or at least part of it.
Click to expand...
 
Sounds like you have enough air space for a gourami. I've not had luck with the blue dwarf gouramis. Mine only lasted maybe two month tops. Then I researched and found out about the dwarf gourami disease -- too much in-breeding, I think. Anyway, right now I have two honey sunset color morphs of the dwarf gourami (not to be confused with the true honey gourami), and they're doing just fine. I've had them for 6 or 7 months with no issues whatsoever. With a 46 gal tank, you could try pearl gouramis. IMO they're the real beauties of all gouramis. Also, they're very peaceful, serene fish. If I were you, I'd get a male and a female pearl.
 
With the disease, is it confined to the dwarfs? Or should I be concerned about replacements enough to give the tank a month or two off of gouramis, do so serious water changes and then hunt for replacements? I've read that it is contageous, but nothing on vector or treatment.
 
As far as I know (which ain't far at all), the dwarf gourami disease is limited to the colisa lalia group, and not a concern with the other gourami species. (I'm not a scientist, so don't flame me if I'm misusing the word "species".) For instance, pearl gouramis are trichogaster leerii, and true honey gouramis are trichogaster chuna (or sometimes colisa chuna). In any event, gouramis others than the colisa lalia don't suffer from the dwarf gourami disease (which I believe has arisen from too much in-breeding), so I'm pretty sure you don't need to worry about "rehabilitating" your tank. Just make sure you have clean water with acceptable parameters for the kind of gourami you're wanting to home.
 
Oh, by the way, see my avatar for a picture of my male pearl gourami.
 
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