In my case, the fish almost constantly had a long string of almost spider web-like feces hanging from him. I noticed the swelling start around the belly the first day I got him, and by the 3rd day it had went all the way up to his back. I looked today and the swelling has subsided.
Problems in my tank with gouramis
- Thread starter Iconoclast
- Start date
I added salt to the aquarium, a tablespoon per 5 gallons, and upped the temperature a few degrees. The fish seem happier, maybe it is because they got attention.
I will see what happens.
I will see what happens.
Sounds like the bloating in TJTs fish is likely an internal parasite. Sorry to hear about the losses.
I went to my local fish store, they were not very helpful. Just said they had no idea what the problem is, and said I do not need to get medication if the fish are already overstressed.
Try this, don't feed them for about 4-5 days, if they are constipated the lack of food won't add to their delima. Second, you need to lower th pH level, about .5 ppm every 24 hours.
at least your LFS employees didnt act like they new, and perscribe for you some medication that would probably make things worse...
if it's constipation, feed them some cut up peas. thatll go right through the disective track
if it's constipation, feed them some cut up peas. thatll go right through the disective track
I do not think it is constipation, that was the other guys problem. I can lower the PH, but the PH is normal at that level here and I have never had this problem before.
Might the temperature be too high? Or could one fish be bullying the rest to exhaustion? What is the best way to lower PH?
I appreciate all the help, I will continue to read through the forums and try to help those who I might be able to as well.
Might the temperature be too high? Or could one fish be bullying the rest to exhaustion? What is the best way to lower PH?
I appreciate all the help, I will continue to read through the forums and try to help those who I might be able to as well.
My gourami is still somewhat swollen, still has that spider web feces, but is acting somewhat more active and even eats a flake or 2 when i feed. I did get the fish from wal mart, maybe that was my first mistake. However my ADF and white clouds from wal mart are doing fine...
Is there anything I can do for it?
Is there anything I can do for it?
Just thought I would update. When I got home tonight I see my gourami foating at the top of the tank acting like it was breathing air. Then he foated through the stream from the filter and went straight into a plant and just stuck there, I believe his rear half was immobilized or maybe he just didnt have the will to move it. His side fins would flap occasionally and gills were somewhat functional so I just put the poor guy in a betta cup and just put him in the freezer. He sank right to the bottom and ended up lying on his side on the bottom of the cup. I am very sad, this was my first loss 
Honestly I wish now that I had put him down sooner but I kept hoping he would recover.
Honestly I wish now that I had put him down sooner but I kept hoping he would recover.
Sorry about the loss.
I have not lost another gourami since I added the salt, and they all seem a bit happier. I even added a plecostomus and he is zooming about sucking on things.
I have not lost another gourami since I added the salt, and they all seem a bit happier. I even added a plecostomus and he is zooming about sucking on things.
