*URGENT* recent gourami deaths

[Aussie_hippie_2]

I have a tank with 2 (until recently 3) drawf gouramis and 2 female bettas. I recently introduced one of the bettas after saving it from a cup. One dwarf just died within about 2 days; was just all of a sudden listless and barely moved. Now it seems to be happening to another dwarf; his gills are kind of pinkish and he just sits there. However through all this my bettas are completely fine. Is this that dreaded ick?

 

[TKOS]

Do a google search for pictures of ich. You won't miss it if it is. White spots all over the fish.

This tank is a 10 gallon? I would have to say that is seems a bit small for so many gouramis. I know size wise they fit but they are aggressive fish and a tank that small can lead to fiting.

Pink is a good gill colour, bright red is generally not.

Was there any damage to the dead fish?

What are the parameters of the water? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH? Is the tank cycled? Did these fish cycle the tank?

 

[Pallen81]

ick usually involves small white spots all over the fish in my experiences... sounds like something else...

are your water chemistry levels (ammonia, nitrite, etc.) checking out okay? what size tank is this by the way?

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

it's a 10g. They all seem fine. The gouramis have all gotten along since I got them; plus my bettas are the sweetest little things I've ever seen (unless you're a guppy LOL). I guess the colour is much more pink then anything, and then certainly isn't any spots.

 

[Pallen81]

honestly, I really don't know. it's real hard to diagnosis fish disease if there aren't overly apparent visual signs...

I still don't know what your water tests are looking like but...with that being said, I would guess it has something to do with a water quality problem. I could be wrong of course. I highly recommend you test the water, cuz a lot of times its poor water quality that starts this process (even in established tanks although 10 gallon tanks are EASILY affected cuz of the small size)... and then that leads to fish sickness.

Do you do water changes? how often? let's keep hope!

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

25% to 40% each week.

 

[Pallen81]

hmmm. okay, that should be pretty sufficient.

i actually also have a 10 gallon tank with dwarf puffers. I usually change about 40%-50% water a week, but I think 25-50% is fine as well.

I don't know what going on in your tank. I hope it clears up! If you get any more details, please update.

 

[Star_Rider]

I may have missed something.

do you have the actual water parameters? ammonia? nitrites and nitrates?

the 'pinkish' gills have me concerned..

 

[Pallen81]

I'm waiting on them as well, those usually tell the story.

:dance:

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

OK, I just went to Wal-mart to pick up a new tester and I think the tester is a pile of s**t. Can anyone help me with the "Quick Dip 5" tester? It just shows where the colour should be, it dosen't say whether it is too high or low. I stole it, but still. Anyway the Nitrates seem fine but the alkalinity seems very grim as does the pH. I'm very worried about the alkalinity.