Okay, after the neon tetra disaster a couple weeks ago, I got a dwarf gourmie this past weekend. Everything was going well until yesterday when I noticed he has a white patch behind one of his gills, and he is starting to hide. It doesn't look like a fungus though--not fuzzy. Upon really close inspection it looks like his gills are white and puffed up, and it is red around it. I guess it looks like a sore. It has not grown at all in size since yesterday. Ammonia and nitrite are holding steady at 0. I don't have a hospital tank yet, and I am hesitant to medicate the whole tank when all the other fish appear healthy. Any suggestions?
Sick gouramie
- Thread starter MissMeow
- Start date
Are you certain that your ammonia tests are accurate? That would be a sign of ammonia poisoning. Maybe take some water to the LFS and see what they've got to say?
Also, if it isn't fuzzy, I might try treating using something mild like Melafix first (don't worry - won't hurt the other fish one bit). If things dont look like they're getting better, switch to Maracyn I and II or Maracyn Plus because it could be bacterial. Plus, if it IS bacterial, your other fish could have it too so it won't be bad to treat them and Maracyn is pretty gentle on the fish.
Even if it isn't bacterial *now*, if the skin is irrated, or slightly "wounded", it can become quite susceptible to infection. Especially if it's a new gourami under stress.
Good luck
Also, if it isn't fuzzy, I might try treating using something mild like Melafix first (don't worry - won't hurt the other fish one bit). If things dont look like they're getting better, switch to Maracyn I and II or Maracyn Plus because it could be bacterial. Plus, if it IS bacterial, your other fish could have it too so it won't be bad to treat them and Maracyn is pretty gentle on the fish.
Even if it isn't bacterial *now*, if the skin is irrated, or slightly "wounded", it can become quite susceptible to infection. Especially if it's a new gourami under stress.
Good luck