Thick-Lipped Gourami Sick... suggestions?

NoDakinMN

NoDakinMN

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Dec 20, 2007
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One of my Thick-lipped Gourami's is swimming funny. I noticed it has not been eager to eat the past 3-4 days.

Seems a bit bloated..... It just lies on the bottom of my tank.....

Could be constipation.

Water parameters. Ammonia Level = 0, Nitrite Level = 0

It's a 210 gallon tank..... I just did an approx 30% water change.

Thanks for any help.
 
What's the nitrate level? What fish are in that tank? Tank maintenance schedule? Try fasting it for a few days. Do you have pictures? Are the scales sticking out? How are the eyes? Have you observed any wastes it excretes?
 
I not sure what the nitrate level is..... I'm ordering a new kit that will allow me to do nitrates. However, I've been doing a 30% water changes every 3-4 days, so I would doubt my levels are high, but I realize without a test I can't be 100% sure I'm using Tetra Labborett kit.... I'm really suprised it did not come with a Nitrate test.

No scales sticking out.... Eyes appear normal, maybe a little bulging. I thought it might have excreted a small white colored waste just a bit ago.

8 Danios, 5 Black Neon Tertas, 4 Columbian Tetras, 11 neon tetras, 2 thick-lipped gourami, 2 clown pleco's, 4 Cherry Barbs, and 6 Gold Barbs.

All the other fish look to be thriving.

I'll get a picture.
 
Was the tank really 210g? With the stocklist, I could have sworn the tank may not be 210 gallons.:lipssealedsmilie: Try isolating the fish and don't feed for a few days.
 
It's actually 210 gallon plus a 55 gallon sump..... I posted pictures last week of my new tank in the photo gallery. I started the tank first week of December. Tank cycled about 3 weeks ago.

I actually did not feed the fish Friday and Saturday as I went out of town. Fed the tank tetra flake food this evening. The Gourami was not interested.

I really have no way to isolate the fish other than putting it in the sump.
 
I'd just leave it without food for 3 more days and get a plastic tank or tub for temporary housing. Operate with a sponge filter and a few floating plants for refuge.
 
Top two pictures are of the sick gourami.... wish they weren'y so blurry.... Noticed long white stringy thing hanging from him now.


The Third picture is of the healthy gourami

IMG_2832.jpg IMG_2836.jpg IMG_2843.jpg
 
I think the gourami has dropsy.... It is still swimming with little control, looks bloated, and although difficult to see.... I think it has some pineconing of the scales.....

Should I Euthanize this fish? Try a last ditch treatment?

Suggestions?
 
Try feeding a pea. I use frozen, just run it under some warm water to get the peel off and squish it a little and drop it in. If it's constipation it will help. Pepso food is also good, it's used to clean fish out. I think epsom salt is good for constipation but you'll have to research that one and you'd likely have to isolate the fish. If it's not constipation it could be a problem with the swim bladder. Treat for constipation first.
 
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