Well, now I am very confused! After reading a post about gouramis laying eggs, I think something may be wrong with my gourami. I have a one (redish on the tail, blue swept-back dorsal) that is very FAT in the front lower part of the body. I thought it was a pregnant female. I don't have a camera, else I would take a pic. I got the fish from the store on Friday. I asked if it was pregnant, like most LFS's this place didn't know anything about them. I thought it may be a good investment to buy one and get several. I am now confused. If my fish isn't pregnant, what could be the problem? It doesn't eat a whole lot (if any). It tries to stay at the bottom in a corner, sort of like a sulking oscar. I am new to fish (at least in the past 12 years. I don't remember much from before. By the way, this is a great site.
Pregnant Gourami?
- Thread starter rgbintx
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could have dropsy maybe. do the scales on it's sides seem to be protruding? Also, could you describe what the fish looks like? Alot of times it's hard to find a female gourami at the fish store so if it's a male it definitely doesn't have eggs.
OK, here goes:
Starting at the mouth, it is a grayish brown. this quickly fades to a whitish gold where it is "swole". From there, it turns red. The dorsal fades from the grayish brown to blue. Scales do protrude where "swole". when the dorsal is upright, it is jagged just a little like a saw blade. It still sweeps back. It is between 1 1/2" long and about 3/8" wide, except where "swole" which is almost 3/4" wide.
Dropsy-meaning going to drop eggs?
It looks like it is about to blow!
Should I keep it in a breeder tank until it happens?
Should I get a male to fertilize the eggs? (assuming it is a female)
Starting at the mouth, it is a grayish brown. this quickly fades to a whitish gold where it is "swole". From there, it turns red. The dorsal fades from the grayish brown to blue. Scales do protrude where "swole". when the dorsal is upright, it is jagged just a little like a saw blade. It still sweeps back. It is between 1 1/2" long and about 3/8" wide, except where "swole" which is almost 3/4" wide.
Dropsy-meaning going to drop eggs?
It looks like it is about to blow!
Should I keep it in a breeder tank until it happens?
Should I get a male to fertilize the eggs? (assuming it is a female)
Someone else is probably better equipped than me about this subject. I'm still not entirely sure your gourami is a female. Dropsy is an infection that causes an extremely swollen belly. It can look like the fish is pregnant or full of eggs. Your description of the fish was really good but is there anyway that you can post a photo of your sick fish. If you can, someone can probably help you better.
Here's the only link I have on it: http://www.fishjunkies.com/Diseases/dropsy.php
Its hard to treat, and sadly most fish end up dying. Google for more information.
Its hard to treat, and sadly most fish end up dying. Google for more information.
Like I said, I just got this fish Friday. But, I have a 10g tank, with a small pleco (common), a small black moor, the gourami, and 2 tetras. I thought the black moor would be too much for the amonia, but I clean the filter 3 times a week and do a 25% water change once a week. I am trying to find at least a 29g tank to move all but the black moor and the pleco into. As far as tests go, I haven't done any tests on the tank, the water stays crystal clear. As for the link you sent, the severe case pic didn't even look like the problem I have, perhaps this is beacause of a difference in breeds? I don't know but my gourami is only swolen on the lower section of the belly. I wish I had a camera so I could show. Sorry.
The tank is overstocked. So it may just be as simple as stress. The Pleco needs at least 75g while the goldfish needs at least a 55g. Until you can get a bigger tank or give the fish to someone, you need to be doing daily 50-75% water changes. Also just leave the filter alone. Only swish it around in old tank water once every two weeks or so. And test the tank. Just in case something is out of whack.