I think that one of my Dwarf Gourami is dying

[pwrmacG4]

one of my dwarf gourami's is laying at the bottom of the tank kinda sideways.. he is still breathing at all.. if you try to put your hand near him he swims away quickly but immediately goes back to laying sideways.. this started yesterday.. my tank is completly cycled. no ammonia, no nitrites and the nitrates are at 10.. all the other fish are doing fine.. just him. I did do a major reconstruction of the tank.. moved some plants and driftwood around to make room for new plants..

is it possible that he could just be stressed and might snap out of it? or is he going to have to be deep sixed..

help!

 

[TabMorte]

He could be stressed out from having gone through the cycle and possibly being hastled by some one else in the tank recently.

I know you don't have a QT but you could try, very temperarily, a water change bucket (especially if it's dark), put at least a gallon or two (Make sure there's at least 4 inches from the top though, they can jump) of tank water in it and, an air stone and a hiding place.

Then put it some where warm too and preferably with the lights out or the bucket covered. Treat with Melafix and Pimafix.

When you move him get a good look at him for nipped fins or irritations around his gills or dark marks on his body.

That's all I can think to do for him. I've kept fish with an airstone in a bucket for up to 24 hours (mind you they were healthy just stressed as heck cause their tank cracked and left them with all of 3 inches of water ). If he is being bullied or stressed that should help. But if he's already laying on his side and stuff I don't know if there's much to be done.

 

[pwrmacG4]

yeah.. I don't have a qt tank.. that sucks.. there isn't much I can do for him.. he is still alive.. just hanging out by himself.. still kinda on its side somewhat.. I guess I will just wait it out and see. thanks tab

 

[MissFishy]

I disagree with the bucket method you're suggesting. Not only is the bucket not heated, but moving him from one situation to a completely dark non-natural bucket would cause more harm than good by completely stressing him out. He may have lingering effects of going through your drawn out cycle. The best you can do for him is keep the temp comfy at around 78 and make sure he's not getting picked on by any other fish while he's lying around. Also, make sure your PH hasn't taken a swing in one direction or another.

 

[TabMorte]

Ah good point Fishy. A QT would be ideal. I always worry when they're sick like that though that they'll get picked on and that will do them in.

 

[pwrmacG4]

he didn't make it.. well.. deep sixed it is.. that sucks

 

[TabMorte]

Sorry to hear it DG

 

[brian1973]

Dwarf Sorry to hear that, I know it doesnt help but this is exactley the why mine died from being haressed by the more aggressive gourami...laying on his side or leaning over basically on the bottom until they died...I lost a few this way. This is why I have gone to one gourami in my tank. I know you may not have seen them fight or harass one another but unless you have other aggrssive fish in with them then they probably did get into disputes over territory even though it may have happened when you werent around.

I have figured that when they say keep a pair they gotta be meaning 1m and 1f. I have found some links that say keep multiple pairs and other links that say never keep more than 1 male per tank.

Well good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[pwrmacG4]

Dwarf Sorry to hear that, I know it doesnt help but this is exactley the why mine died from being haressed by the more aggressive gourami...laying on his side or leaning over basically on the bottom until they died...I lost a few this way. This is why I have gone to one gourami in my tank. I know you may not have seen them fight or harass one another but unless you have other aggrssive fish in with them then they probably did get into disputes over territory even though it may have happened when you werent around.

I have figured that when they say keep a pair they gotta be meaning 1m and 1f. I have found some links that say keep multiple pairs and other links that say never keep more than 1 male per tank.

Well good luck in whatever you decide.

thanks... well.. I guess that lessens the bio load.. bright side?