Dwarf Gourami Is Sick?

Tank

• What is the water volume of the tank? 10 US gallons.
• Does it have a filter? Yes. It is an Aqueon Quietflow 10.
• Does it have a heater? Yes. It is a Top Fin 50w heater.
• What is the water temperature? 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
• What is the entire stocking of this tank? A single dwarf gourami.

Maintenance

• How often do you change the water? Once a week
• How much of the water do you change? 25%
• What do you use to treat your water? Seachem Prime
• Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Both.

Parameters

• Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
• What do you use to test the water? API Freshwater Master Test Kit
• What are your parameters? We need the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
pH: 6.6

Feeding

• How often do you feed your fish? Twice a day.
• How much do you feed your fish? 2 thumb fingernail sized flakes.
• What brand of food do you feed your fish? Top Fin Tropical Flakes
• Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms:

• How long have you had this fish? 3 months
• How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? 3 weeks ago
• In a few words, (more room for details below) what are the symptoms? Lump in the middle of stomach, lethargy, not eating, irregular swim pattern
• Have you started any treatment for the illness? Not really.
• Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No.
• How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? It has become very lethargic, started swimming irregularly, and has a lump on its stomach.

 

Picture please?

 

If you need more, just ask.

 

He looks rather sickly... his fins are deteriorating along with stomach issues. There should be an API kit for possible parasites along with a fin repair. How long has it not been eating?

 

I didn't read through that stupid template. Sorry. But your picture speaks volumes. Poor guy. Have you seen any of his poop? What does it look like? The prominent bulge I see is not where his swim bladder would be. I am concerned that his gut area looks shrunken.

 

It hasn’t been eating for a week, I assume. I only really observed it today when I tried to feed him.

I remember having an issue a few weeks back in which there was brown gunk all over the tank glass and gravel. It cleared up now, but was that his poop?

 

Brown gunk all over the glass and other things that goes away is probably diatoms. Normal for a new aquarium and for aquariums with high nitrates.

 

Other than that, I haven’t really seen him poop.

 

Keep an eye out for white stringy poop. If you haven't seen it yet, I'm guessing that you don't have a parasite problem. I can't get a handle on your boy. Sorry

 

The other guy on the thread says that the fins on my gourami have been eaten by parasites. Can you confirm?

 

I would try to feed medicated food. Tastes terrible I know. Garlic powder helps. The bulge we see is where his intestines are located so I was thinking an internal parasite. I'll post a link for medicaated food if you want to try that. I don't know if it will help, but it will not hurt. (most of my fish are smaller so I treat betta pellets instead of the large cichlid pellets that you normally seel.

 

The fins aren’t due to a parasite, they are due to an illness known as fin rot. The parasite is the stomach issue.

 

Fish flash when attached by exgernal parasites. Have you seen your gouramie flashing? (Rubbing or flicking off of surfaces.)

 

Or, if you have some artificial plants or sharp decor, it could have torn its fins, which is most likely the cause of the fin issue, considering it’s only on the top

 

I have seen a lot of flashing, actually. Thanks for telling me about that.

I only have live plants. Only 2 anubias though.

 

How about decor? Are you sure there were no injuries prior to purchase?

 

I just saw a video about flashing and I feel so enlightened. All of the symptoms he lists are the exact symptoms my fish has.

I do have a large piece of mopani wood in the center of my tank.

 

Mind if we see?

 

I’d love to show you.

 

I think I have a theory: As @KimberlyG said, the flashing occurring is likely due to a parasite. The wood that you have there was a perfect place for your little buddy to relieve his pain, and likely got his dorsal fin caught in the process. If you can get the parasite problem fixed, where stress is reduced, the fin will naturally heal and you will have a nice, healthy gourami!