Dwarf gourami acting strange

Hello! I recently noticed my male dwarf gourami had been acting kind of strange, he’s been sitting at the bottom of the tank very still without moving any of his fins and barely seeming to breath. He is still eating and swimming around, just much less than usual. I noticed him kind of rub his head against a leaf today which I’ve never seen him do before which is why I decided to make this post.
All of my levels are normal except my ph seems to be a bit higher than usual, but all my other fish are acting fine?
I’ve had this tank around 7 months and he was one of the first fish I got. I have a female sunset thick lipped dwarf who is acting normal, as well as 2 non dwarfs who are acting normal as well.
I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid but I want to make sure something isn’t wrong with him, especially if it’s contagious. I don’t know if this could be breeding behavior, if it’s just bc it’s winter and the days are shorter, or if there’s a serious problem with him.

tank size is 125 gallons, I have a fluval canister filter that keeps it very clean, my nitrates have never gotten above 10ppm even after weeks. I clean and do a water change every Monday (tomorrow) and I use prime water conditioner because I have city tap water.
I’m unsure if I can post videos here, but I have a video of him swimming and then going to his spot and suddenly becoming still. If there is a way to add a video lmk and I’ll post it!

 

Hi and welcome to Fishlore.

He looks very muted in colour to me, of course this could just be the photo.
Unfortunately it hard to say what exactly is wrong or how to treat him but this is a common occurrence with Dwarf Gourami. I'll leave my article on that here: My thoughts on Dwarf Gourami/Trichogaster Lalius
It might be helpful if you fill in this template emergency template.
Could you post photos of the other Gourami?

 

Hi and welcome to Fishlore.

He looks very muted in colour to me, of course this could just be the photo.
Unfortunately it hard to say what exactly is wrong or how to treat him but this is a common occurrence with Dwarf Gourami. I'll leave my article on that here: My thoughts on Dwarf Gourami/Trichogaster Lalius
It might be helpful if you fill in this template emergency template.
Could you post photos of the other Gourami?

Thank you! I’ll fill out the template and make a post, I’m most worried about it being something contagious that could affect the other fish in my tank. Here are my other gouramis (Ft my angelfish photo bombing)

 

Fist things first, Dwarf gourami are a fish with an extremely weak immune system. Sudden water parameters changes can lead to issues that can cause sickness and even death. So first, attemp to fix the pH asap. Second , this is exactly what happened to my Dwarf gourami. I presumed it was dgd (dwarf gourami dieses ). I did even more research and all I could come up with is keep the water extremely clean and add stress coat if you have a hospital tank. Best hopes!

 

Fist things first, Dwarf gourami are a fish with an extremely weak immune system. Sudden water parameters changes can lead to issues that can cause sickness and even death. So first, attemp to fix the pH asap. Second , this is exactly what happened to my Dwarf gourami. I presumed it was dgd (dwarf gourami dieses ). I did even more research and all I could come up with is keep the water extremely clean and add stress coat if you have a hospital tank. Best hopes!
Please do emergency template

Thank you, I’m going to do a water change after I make sure my tap waters ph is ok and I posted the emergency template. Hoping I can get a definite is it contagious answer

 

Warning, do not turn to chemical solutions to fix your ph, like api ph up or ph down. Any reson why it might be alittle high, also is there any bullying in the tank, and keep water clean. Try not to disturb him too much during the wc

 

It is somewhat contagious to other gouramis so I say you should definetly move him to a separate tank

Warning, do not turn to chemical solutions to fix your ph, like api ph up or ph down. Any reson why it might be alittle high, also is there any bullying in the tank, and keep water clean. Try not to disturb him too much during the wc

Forgot to mention before, definitely don't use chemical unless it won't come down no matter what
Sadly there is no for sure way of knowing if its Dwarf gourami disease. But, still isolate him. There is no known cure for dgd.

 

attemp to fix the pH asap

This could cause more issues than it would likely solve. Like you said here

Sudden water parameters changes can lead to issues that can cause sickness and even death.

It is somewhat contagious to other gouramis so I say you should definetly move him to a separate tank

There's been various articles on this, from what I understand it's possible for other Gourami to be infected with the iridovirus but the effect on other Gourami is dramatically lessened. It's purely down to their(Dwarf Gourami) horrendous immune system that they just can't cope with it(or many other things).

Thank you, I’m going to do a water change after I make sure my tap waters ph is ok and I posted the emergency template. Hoping I can get a definite is it contagious answer

Can you post it here?

 

I'm saying fix the pH lol, maybe slowly in small batches

 

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 125 gallons
How long has the tank been running? 7 months
Does it have a filter? Yes. Fluval canister filter
Does it have a heater? Yes, with a guard to prevent burns
What is the water temperature? 78 F
What is the entire stocking of this tank?
2 dwarf gourami
2 gourami
5 rose lined sharks
3 gold rose lined sharks
6 angel fish
4 pictus catfish
2 bumblebee catfish
3 African ropefish
5 diamond back tetras
2 bristlenose plecos
1 rubbernose pleco
1 baby bala shark
5 assassin snails
Unknown number of ramshorn snails that the assassins have been taking care of

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Once a week
How much of the water do you change? 50%
What do you use to treat your water? Prime water conditioner
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Vacuum and water change

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API water test kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
pH: 7.8

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Once a day
How much do you feed your fish? 1 blood worm cube (frozen) one spirillina infused brine shrimp cube (frozen) a pinch of fish pellets by my local fish store, 1 algae pellets, a pinch of sinking bottom feeder pellets
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Api, omega one, aqua zoo blend (local fish store)
Do you feed frozen? Yes
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? Not usually

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 7 months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Around 2 days ago
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Sitting at the bottom of the tank not moving, muted colours
Have you started any treatment for the illness? Not currently
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? Less active, more shy and reclusive

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
(Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)
Dwarf gourami is sitting at the bottom of the tank in the plants barely moving, his colours are muted and he seems more lethargic than usual. I noticed him sitting in the plants a few days ago and thought he was dead, so I moved the plants to see and he darted out. He has since gone back to that spot pretty much all the time except feeding time. He is still eating, just not coming to my hand to eat like usual I have been bringing the food over to him and then he swims up to accept it. I’m worried this illness is something contagious, and if it is I need to make sure it hasnt spread to my other fish. My current hospital tank is occupied by a new fish and I need to know if I need to move this gourami out of the main tank, or if he will be ok in it and not spread anything to the other fish

 

Like I said before if this really is dgd then you will have to separate him somehow. Otherwise there's a chace your other gourami will get it.

 

This could cause more issues than it would likely solve. Like you said here


There's been various articles on this, from what I understand it's possible for other Gourami to be infected with the iridovirus but the effect on other Gourami is dramatically lessened. It's purely down to their(Dwarf Gourami) horrendous immune system that they just can't cope with it(or many other things).

Can you post it here?

My current hospital tank is occupied by a new fish and I need to know if I need to move this gourami out of the main tank, or if he will be ok in it and not spread anything to the other fish

Like I said before if this really is dgd then you will have to separate him somehow. Otherwise there's a chace your other gourami will get it.

I’m moving him to a separate tank and doing a water change on the main just in case

 

Like I said before if this really is dgd then you will have to separate him somehow. Otherwise there's a chace your other gourami will get it.

That really shouldn't be a problem. Though it may be better to separate him to be easier to find him later on

2 dwarf gourami

These are two different species, Dwarf (Trichogaster Lalius) and Thick Lipped(Trichogaster labiosa, the orange one).

1 blood worm cube (frozen)

I would avoid feeding these too often, they aren't particularly good for fish, not so bad every so often but not on a regular basis.

pH: 7.8

This shouldn't be a problem.

I’m worried this illness is something contagious,

I wouldn't be worried about this, it's unfortunate but these fish often randomly die. The good thing is it should affect you're other fish.

 

That really shouldn't be a problem. Though it may be better to separate him to be easier to find him later on

These are two different species, Dwarf (Trichogaster Lalius) and Thick Lipped(Trichogaster labiosa, the orange one).

I would avoid feeding these too often, they aren't particularly good for fish, not so bad every so often but not on a regular basis.

This shouldn't be a problem.

I wouldn't be worried about this, it's unfortunate but these fish often randomly die. The good thing is it should affect you're other fish.

Thank you this is good to know, so the sunset thick lipped is a different breed of dwarf? I was told she was a dwarf sunset thick lipped and not a regular sunset thick lipped, but I’m not sure if they were correct. I mostly fed the blood worms for my carnivorous species such as the African ripe fish, but I’ll avoid feeding them as often and just do the shrimp I’m moving the little guy to a separate tank just so I can monitor him closely, we’ll see how he does

 

oh. didnt see the part where he said there was a sunset thick lip. thought they were the same. am i blind?

 

Thank you this is good to know, so the sunset thick lipped is a different breed of dwarf?

Completely different species to each other.

I was told she was a dwarf sunset thick lipped and not a regular sunset thick lipped, but I’m not sure if they were correct.

Usually this is just a common name, shops often put "Dwarf" in front of species within the Trichogaster genus because they are smaller than common species like Trichopodus(like your beautiful female Opaline Gourami).

oh. didnt see the part where he said there was a sunset thick lip. thought they were the same. am i blind?

Oh that's what you meant! Sorry I caught on that it wasn't another Dwarf and was a little confused about why you were insistent on them being separated despite them being different. The OP didn't realize themselves, so I would say your eyesight is fine

 

Completely different species to each other.

Usually this is just a common name, shops often put "Dwarf" in front of species within the Trichogaster genus because they are smaller than common species like Trichopodus(like your beautiful female Opaline Gourami).

Oh that's what you meant! Sorry I caught on that it wasn't another Dwarf and was a little confused about why you were insistent on them being separated despite them being different. The OP didn't realize themselves, so I would say your eyesight is fine

Thank you so much! I had no idea their species were different. Is the thick lipped affected by inbreeding and dgd as strongly as others? Are they even affected at all?

 

Is the thick lipped affected by inbreeding and dgd as strongly as others? Are they even affected at all?

No, they shouldn't be.

 

No, they shouldn't be.

Good to know, thank you!
Little guy is in a separate hospital tank now, he’s perked up a little bit I’m not sure if that’s due to me moving him around. Just gonna let him rest and we’ll see how he is tomorrow

 

Good to know, thank you!

Little guy is in a separate hospital tank now, he’s perked up a little bit I’m not sure if that’s due to me moving him around. Just gonna let him rest and we’ll see how he is tomorrow

Good luck, really sorry about your little guy. Sucks how the breeding industry can sell fish with such poor immune systems and get away with it.

Thank you! I’ll fill out the template and make a post, I’m most worried about it being something contagious that could affect the other fish in my tank. Here are my other gouramis (Ft my angelfish photo bombing)

I must say, this is a beautiful Pearl Gourami! They're definitely my favorite species of Trichogaster.

 

Good luck, really sorry about your little guy. Sucks how the breeding industry can sell fish with such poor immune systems and get away with it.

I must say, this is a beautiful Pearl Gourami! They're definitely my favorite species of Trichogaster.

Yeah it’s sad he was one of the first fish I got and I wasn’t aware of the full extent of how messed up they’ve gotten, I will definitely avoid them in the future just because seeing them slowly die is so disheartening.

And than you! I really love their look as well, they’re some of my favorite morphs I’ve seen !

 

Good to know, thank you!

Little guy is in a separate hospital tank now, he’s perked up a little bit I’m not sure if that’s due to me moving him around. Just gonna let him rest and we’ll see how he is tomorrow

Hey guys! Update on my little guy : he hasn’t wanted to eat today so I’ve just been leaving him alone and not messing with him, but just a few minutes ago I came to check on him and noticed long clear feces, is this a sign of parasites or due to not eating? Is there any medication I could give him? He’s also hanging out at the very top of he tank but not moving any fins. Even if there isn’t a permanent solution I want to do anything I can to make him more comfortable if possible Right now he’s in a 10 gallon hospital away from all other fish, heated and filtered

 

Does he have hiding places? My gouramis like to wiggle into small areas, especially if they're tired r not feeling well. Some coverage might make him feel more comfortable, especially if he's trying to recover. Stress is one of the worst killers in the gourami/betta family, in my opinion.

 

Does he have hiding places? My gouramis like to wiggle into small areas, especially if they're tired r not feeling well. Some coverage might make him feel more comfortable, especially if he's trying to recover. Stress is one of the worst killers in the gourami/betta family, in my opinion.

He has a hide and a rock to go behind he just wasn’t using them this morning he was in the hide though

 

Good idea for the hospital tank. clear feces and poor diet are pretty common signs of internal parasites.
are there any red worms or red "poops" hanging from the fish's anus? Do you feed live foods, and if so where are they sourced.
However, despite all this, do not medicate until confirmed, Watch for these or other symptoms.

 

Good idea for the hospital tank. clear feces and poor diet are pretty common signs of internal parasites.
are there any red worms or red "poops" hanging from the fish's anus? Do you feed live foods, and if so where are they sourced.
However, despite all this, do not medicate until confirmed, Watch for these or other symptoms.

I haven’t seen any red worms hanging out, and I don’t feed live food only frozen, he usually ate frozen brine shrimp as well as pellets

 

I am afraid this fish is dieing.

 

I am afraid this fish is dieing.

Yeah just wondering if there’s anything I can do to make his last days comfortable

 

Keep taking care of him best you can. When fish get to "laying on their side" stage is when I usually euthanize to put them out of their misery because their quality of life decreases drastically when they can't/don't want to swim anymore. Very few fish recover from that stage, but I usually let things run their course until then (unless there is a clear treatment I can give to help).

 

Keep taking care of him best you can. When fish get to "laying on their side" stage is when I usually euthanize to put them out of their misery because their quality of life decreases drastically when they can't/don't want to swim anymore. Very few fish recover from that stage, but I usually let things run their course until then (unless there is a clear treatment I can give to help).

Yeah, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to put him down I don’t want him to be suffering but I don’t know what more I can do for him. He’s been a good little fish and he deserves an easy passing

 

if your going to euthanize do your research, some methods are so much more humane and pain free than others. Ive heard clove oil is good, but do an online search. Also, dont decide to kill until the fish has reached this stage, or when youve reached a point where he cant be helped.
by stage, I mean laying on side.
Please continue to watch for developing symptoms, also best of luck

 

I use clove oil. The fish fall asleep before slowly passing away. They do panic a little when they realize they're going to sleep against their will, but it's not violent. Just a little extra swimming when you thought they couldn't swim anymore. It's a survival instict, not a sign that you made a mistake. I like the clove oil method. It makes me feel better and ensures their last moments are with me and done out of respect for them and their well being.

 

Hello everyone, today I decided to put the little guy down as he was no longer swimming or eating I used a clove oil method and he went very quickly. I’m glad to know that I gave him the best care I could, but I am sad that ultimately there was nothing I could do to save him. Thank you everyone who offered advice or well wishes! As my mother said, “he is swimming in the big river in the sky now”

 

Sorry to hear !