Gourami with swim bladder disease?

Nyk0nn

AC Members
Sep 27, 2021
144
12
18
Pennsylvania
Real Name
B
One of my dwarf flame gourami's is hanging out at the bottom of my 29 gal upside down. (mouth to the substrate and tail to the surface) There is a bump behind the gill on one side and its kind of curved. Looking online I found it could be a swim bladder problem? What should I do? Is there anything I can do? I'd rather not watch it suffer.
 
If it were me, I would administer Epson salt dissolved in the water. Others may be able to advise on dosage. It is harmless but can solve the issue altogether. Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: fishorama
Epsom salt is not sodium so safe to use with plants and inverts. 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water, dissolve it first in a cup of aquarium water and add slowly over a couple hours, If the fish or inverts act strangely, perform a water change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fishorama
You can move her to the 5 gallon bucket with aquarium water and the dissolved 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt for about 15 minutes unless you notice the fish becoming stressed or thrashing around. If the fish tolerates it, do the bath at least 3 times per day for 3 days.

Do not feed the fish for a couple days. It's possible it ate too much and is constipated and that is causing pressure on the swim bladder.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FreshyFresh
Definitely try what dudley suggests.

I gave up keeping dwarf gourami for the same reason. I don't know if it was the foods I fed at the time, how I kept them or if it was their genetics, but I could never get them out of getting bloated.
 
AquariaCentral.com