jen82

During a water change today I noticed that my blue dwarf gourami (Pinky) has lost an "arm". Sorry not sure of proper name. Anyway he has only about 1cm left. Is this going to be a problem for him. Should I put Pinky into my hospital tank. He seems to be eating and swimming fine still.

Cody

im assuming your talking about the little feelers that gouramis have, and yes he should be fine, i remember i similar post a few weeks back, i could look back and try to find it but i cant for sure tell you if treatment is needed, but as of now it should not be a problem

jen82

thank you. Yes i meant his feelers. Hehe. I was assuming i would not need to medicate unless it looked infected. For know im just going to keep a close eye on him.

Cody

ys as long as it doesnt apear to be infected, then no further damage would be likley

jen82

will it grow back? What exactly do they use them for?

timmafee

it will grow back after time
they use them to feel around and determine what is edible

Narcicius

I thought there was a general vitamin supplement that promoted fin regrowth? Maybe some of that (whatever it is) would help a lot.

Alessa

It is called vitachem, and yes, it will make a difference.

Iron waffle

a healthy diet will speed up the process

Narcicius

Vitachem, i knew there was something out there for the poor little guy.

Alessa

You can order it online. Some other good suplements to use along are garlic guard and fish protector/stress coat.

clinton1621

High protein food, like brine shrimp and bloodworms, will also make it grow back quicker =)

jen82

his diet is so varied i dont think he eats the same thing for a fortnight. My freezer has more fish food in it than human food. I have stress coat and garlic juice to dip his food in just in case. But he seems fine without. Is their eyesight poor and that why they need feelers?

Barbrella

The "feelers" are actually modified pelvic fins, and they are touch-sensitive and help gouramis find their way (and find food) in the opaque waters they originate from.

Obviously they don't need them in our clear aquariums, so not sure if the loss of one has any impact.

jen82

thank you. The only thing i see them using them for is waving at each other when their having an arguement. Hehe. His feeler is definately growing back now and he doesnt seem at any disadvantage for not having both.

DarkRevoultions

Hmm. If you do frequent water changes, and always siphon the tanks, everything should be fine. Since the cleaner the water is, the faster the healing process will be.

Sometimes, my dwarf male gouramis' feelers get nipped by my angels, but it seldom that my angels get into a fight with them... So when I always siphon the tank, and my plants helping to eat the waste the fishes leave, I usually find out that the feelers grow back very fast. Just like my betta. It's had some fight with my yellow gourami a long time ago before I bought my angels, and everything.

So now, the fins are growing back centimeter by centimeter

GouramiGuy

good to hear that his fins will grow back one of my gouramis lost one of his feelers and that makes me relieved!!!