Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Species => Gouramis => Topic started by: Mascol on June 16, 2016, 09:19:42 PM
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Not many posts in this forum yet (well, one to be precise) but maybe there is some hidden gourami expertise out there.
As the title says, my female dwarf gourami (one of a male-female pair) started swelling up a week ago. I thought she might be full of eggs, but is has not gone down, nor appears there to be any sign of bubble nest-building (although admittedly i have never seen a bubble nest - either completed or under construction - so I'm not exactly sure what signs to look for....).
There is no 'pine coning' so it's likely not dropsy but reading elsewhere suggests that is could be an infection. As of this evening the male and female are both floating near the top of the tank, but in opposite corners. Male looks normal, but female is still swollen.
Other sites have suggested to not feed the fish for a couple of days, so they've all been put on a diet as from yesterday. I don't think it's constipation, as they get shelled peas once a week. However, fasting a few days may help. It's worth a try.
Anyway, I hope she pulls through as I've really grown to like my gouramis. Update to follow - fingers crossed for good news.
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Have you googled the symptoms of dwarf gourami disease? I don't think they match your description but it is worth a look.
Is the male bullying her? Dwarf gourami males are among the nastier gourami species for harassing females.
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I looked up dwarf gourami disease. Her symptoms are similar to the early stages of dwarf gourami disease, but currently also still match other possibilities. The swelling has not gone down yet. Am keeping them off food until tomorrow and then will give peas first.
Bullying is not a problem; apart from the very occasional little chase, they are generally a happy couple.