I got a new gourami and I need help!!

pH - 7.0ppm
ammonia - 0.25 (just did water change to help)
nitrite - 0ppm
I just got a honey gourami yesterday. I am so stuck. I set up a quarantine tank with a cycled sponge filter and added some food as an ammonia source. I added gravel from my established tank and my old decor for hiding. I tested the water before I got him and it was perfect, no ammonia or nitrites and pH 7.0. I tested my water today and I had a small ammonia spike of 0.25ppm so I did about a 30% water change and added extra Prime.

I’m not sure what I did wrong, his fins are clamped and he is floating upright but also swimming normally a little bit. He also lays on the gravel and is breathing a little hard. When I got him from my LFS the power has gone out to its tank so there was no light, but he seemed fine. I’m also worried about ich but I only see spots on his tail. I’ll attach photos, I can’t figure out how to post a video.

 

When you added the cycled filter- how did you cycle it? A proper cycle takes 4-6 weeks.

I’m wondering why you added fish flakes to the tank that had the cycled filter running, and then a fish?

You only add an ammonia source when you are starting to cycle, to grow the bacteria. Even then to get an ammonia reading you’d have to wait a couple of days for the flakes to decompose before you get an ammonia reading.

Have you tested for nitrates?

If your filter is cycled, It is normal to get an ammonia spike if the bioload is greater than it is cycled to.

As for your fish behaviour, I’ll let someone with more experience in this weigh in, it’s possible you’ve just got a diseased fish. Did he have the white spots in the fish shop?

 

I seeded it in my established tank for almost 3 weeks, and let it run a few days to make sure there were no problems.

As for the fish flakes, I wasn’t sure so I played it safe and added some lol so now I know I don’t need to do that.

I have yet to test for nitrates, I only have 2 test tubes because my cat decided to knock the rest on the floor :’) so i can only test 2 at once and I just haven’t tested nitrates yet.

I’m not sure if he had white spots in the shop, I didn’t get a close enough look. I do recall seeing a small tank and it looked like it was severely affected by ich. I don’t think they were selling those fish, but cross contamination may have occurred.

I am doubting that the ammonia is the cause of his sickness. My understanding is that that little ammonia cannot do that much damage in such little time.

Also, I have an assassin snail in there as well and I am very worried about my fish’s vulnerability right now. Is there a way I can isolate the snail?

 

When you added the cycled filter- how did you cycle it? A proper cycle takes 4-6 weeks.

I’m wondering why you added fish flakes to the tank that had the cycled filter running, and then a fish?

You only add an ammonia source when you are starting to cycle, to grow the bacteria. Even then to get an ammonia reading you’d have to wait a couple of days for the flakes to decompose before you get an ammonia reading.

Have you tested for nitrates?

If your filter is cycled, It is normal to get an ammonia spike if the bioload is greater than it is cycled to.

As for your fish behaviour, I’ll let someone with more experience in this weigh in, it’s possible you’ve just got a diseased fish. Did he have the white spots in the fish shop?

I think that is the issue. The fish doesn't really looks healthy. Its shape is of.
I'd bring it back to the shop to be honest (sorry) and get at least two healthy ones.

 

I'd go a step further, bring this one back to the store, research&cycle properly, then get others from another store. Because if this one was in this shape at purchase I doubt the others there will do any better.

 

I seeded it in my established tank for almost 3 weeks, and let it run a few days to make sure there were no problems.

As for the fish flakes, I wasn’t sure so I played it safe and added some lol so now I know I don’t need to do that.

I have yet to test for nitrates, I only have 2 test tubes because my cat decided to knock the rest on the floor :’) so i can only test 2 at once and I just haven’t tested nitrates yet.

I’m not sure if he had white spots in the shop, I didn’t get a close enough look. I do recall seeing a small tank and it looked like it was severely affected by ich. I don’t think they were selling those fish, but cross contamination may have occurred.

I am doubting that the ammonia is the cause of his sickness. My understanding is that that little ammonia cannot do that much damage in such little time.

Also, I have an assassin snail in there as well and I am very worried about my fish’s vulnerability right now. Is there a way I can isolate the snail?

Do you have any test strips you can use to test for nitrates until you get some new test tubes? Or can you run out and get some? He looks very weak so any amount of ammonia may bother him.

That looks like it could be Ich. But I've dealt with Ich maybe twice in my lifetime. I'm just lucky I guess. So someone else may be able to tell from the picture better than I can.

 

I think that is the issue. The fish doesn't really looks healthy. Its shape is of.
I'd bring it back to the shop to be honest (sorry) and get at least two healthy ones.

I'd go a step further, bring this one back to the store, research&cycle properly, then get others from another store. Because if this one was in this shape at purchase I doubt the others there will do any better.

I will probably be bringing him back, and I definitely will if he doesn't make it through the night. I am afraid they will blame it on the ammonia though.
I have been researching all about fish for almost a year now after my mass murder of fish when I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted to provide the best life possible for my survivors and any new fish in the future. My survivor platy is such a happy fish and has a great personality, so that tells me I've been successful so far. That's why this is so upsetting to me

Do you have any test strips you can use to test for nitrates until you get some new test tubes? Or can you run out and get some? He looks very weak so any amount of ammonia may bother him.

That looks like it could be Ich. But I've dealt with Ich maybe twice in my lifetime. I'm just lucky I guess. So someone else may be able to tell from the picture better than I can.

I'll actually test nitrates right now, give me 5 min
Nitrates 5ppm

 

I will probably be bringing him back, and I definitely will if he doesn't make it through the night. I am afraid they will blame it on the ammonia though.
I have been researching all about fish for almost a year now after my mass murder of fish when I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted to provide the best life possible for my survivors and any new fish in the future. My survivor platy is such a happy fish and has a great personality, so that tells me I've been successful so far. That's why this is so upsetting to me

I'll actually test nitrates right now, give me 5 min
Nitrates 5ppm

Your nitrates are good. I would do what the others suggest take him back. I personally would buy from another store.

 

I will probably be bringing him back, and I definitely will if he doesn't make it through the night. I am afraid they will blame it on the ammonia though.

First of all: 0.25mg/l Ammonia is
a. an irrelevantly low number
b. likely the typical low positive you get when your tap is treated with chloramine by the provider and you used a dechlorinator. The tests show all ammonia, be it NH3 or NH4.
c. Thanks to said dechlorinator and the fact your pH is not over a certain number the Ammonia is present as NH4, not NH3.
The fish shows no signs of any ammonia related problems.
Disease/parasites - yes, but not from the parameters. They sold you a sick fish so give it back and avoid that store in the future.
Tell them you realized you don't have the means to care for it, and just never go back there.

Edit:

I’m not sure if he had white spots in the shop, I didn’t get a close enough look. I do recall seeing a small tank and it looked like it was severely affected by ich. I don’t think they were selling those fish, but cross contamination may have occurred.

If you can't tell the stock of a store is healthy, take your time and watch the fish for half an hour to an hour.
If you see any signs of disease in any tank - Don't buy fish there.
If you see any dead fish - Don't buy fish there.
Of you see them having trouble with the facilities - You guessed it! - Don't buy fish there.

Also, I have an assassin snail in there as well and I am very worried about my fish’s vulnerability right now. Is there a way I can isolate the snail?

Why? The snail will not try to eat a living fish and is not a vector for any fish diseases.

 

First of all: 0.25mg/l Ammonia is
a. an irrelevantly low number
b. likely the typical low positive you get when your tap is treated with chloramine by the provider and you used a dechlorinator. The tests show all ammonia, be it NH3 or NH4.
c. Thanks to said dechlorinator and the fact your pH is not over a certain number the Ammonia is present as NH4, not NH3.
The fish shows no signs of any ammonia related problems.
Disease/parasites - yes, but not from the parameters. They sold you a sick fish so give it back and avoid that store in the future.
Tell them you realized you don't have the means to care for it, and just never go back there.

Edit:

If you can't tell the stock of a store is healthy, take your time and watch the fish for half an hour to an hour.
If you see any signs of disease in any tank - Don't buy fish there.
If you see any dead fish - Don't buy fish there.
Of you see them having trouble with the facilities - You guessed it! - Don't buy fish there.


Why? The snail will not try to eat a living fish and is not a vector for any fish diseases.

Applause mate !

 

Addition: Once the fish is gone, let the quarantine tank run for 2 weeks without any fish (no fish means no host, means any parasites left are done for) and disinfect the net, hose and bucket with diluted vinegar essence or citric acid and 60-80°C water. No detergents, no bleach, no other hard chemicals required.

 

If you can't tell the stock of a store is healthy, take your time and watch the fish for half an hour to an hour.
If you see any signs of disease in any tank - Don't buy fish there.
If you see any dead fish - Don't buy fish there.
Of you see them having trouble with the facilities - You guessed it! - Don't buy fish there.

Why? The snail will not try to eat a living fish and is not a vector for any fish diseases.

This store has thousands of great reviews, but sadly I have been let down there a few times. My first time going was when I committed mass fish murder and was trying to figure out what went wrong (this was when I was brand new to fish keeping), the employee told me about the 1 inch per gallon rule and did not know what an API test was. Red flags went up and I have since avoided that employee.

Next are the times I've seen dead fish there. Almost every time I go I see 1 or 2. And the prices are stupid high for some things, I paid $7 for a sponge filter that is $3 on amazon or other fish keeping sites. They don't price match.

The people there are nice, I would even say I'm friends with one of the employees. But I don't understand the raving reviews. This place has been in business for like 60 years, so maybe it was just better then. They have a huge selection of everything, but still. I do have to say I am happy with my nerite snail I got there!

All this to say, unfortunately my next best option is petco. This is the only freshwater store in my entire county.

As for my snail I was just really worried because my fish was just lying there. I think I might take him back for a nerite, he was a surprise gift from my mom who thought he was really cute. He's pretty cool and I like how he moves around a lot, but I just don't know how I feel about an assassin snail. My mom said she would not mind at all if I did that, but I would still feel bad.

Sadly my fish did pass during the night.

 

This store has thousands of great reviews,

So? Never been a factor for me.

But I don't understand the raving reviews.

All this to say, unfortunately my next best option is petco. This is the only freshwater store in my entire county.

Put your own statement together with your question and it should click.

Plus... We all know in North American fishkeeping you can find "state of the art" right next to "stone age" of the hobby levels in experience and approaches. And stores that hire people for their ability to quickly catch and bag fish, not for knowledge and advice.

 

So? Never been a factor for me.



Put your own statement together with your question and it should click.

Plus... We all know in North American fishkeeping you can find "state of the art" right next to "stone age" of the hobby levels in experience and approaches. And stores that hire people for their ability to quickly catch and bag fish, not for knowledge and advice.

Ahh I see now that they're right next to each other. Someone on another forum suggested I do the dishonest thing and take water from my established tank so they don't try to blame it on ammonia, what's your opinion?

 

Someone on another forum suggested I do the dishonest thing and take water from my established tank so they don't try to blame it on ammonia, what's your opinion?

Considering what you tell us here about the store, I doubt they would have looked into it anyway. For most stores it's easier to just write off a fish and refund without further comment. But as the fish is dead now anyways that question is redundant. Stores only take back live fish.

 

Considering what you tell us here about the store, I doubt they would have looked into it anyway. For most stores it's easier to just write off a fish and refund without further comment. But as the fish is dead now anyways that question is redundant. Stores only take back live fish.

No I believe this store will take back dead freshwater fish within 48 hours, unless I'm just understanding it wrong. On their reciepts: "FRESHWATER FISH LIMITED 48 HOUR WARRANTY: If you have a problem with a freshwater fish, please bring the receipt, the fish, and a SEPERATE water sample from your aquarium for water quality testing purposes." They don't offer anything for saltwater "due to the sensitive nature of marine species". I would assume problem included a dead fish. I also see them testing water continually, so i think they actually would test it.

I'm willing to fight them on this because I did not buy a $10 fish as a gift to myself on my birthday for it to die within 36 hours, and I refuse to believe that little ammonia could do that much damage in such little time. I think the stress of moving homes was the last straw for my little guy.

 

No I believe this store will take back dead freshwater fish within 48 hours, unless I'm just understanding it wrong. On their reciepts: "FRESHWATER FISH LIMITED 48 HOUR WARRANTY: If you have a problem with a freshwater fish, please bring the receipt, the fish, and a SEPERATE water sample from your aquarium for water quality testing purposes." They don't offer anything for saltwater "due to the sensitive nature of marine species". I would assume problem included a dead fish. I also see them testing water continually, so i think they actually would test it.

Sorry, that implicitly means "alive only".

I'm willing to fight them on this because I did not buy a $10 fish as a gift to myself on my birthday for it to die within 36 hours, and I refuse to believe that little ammonia could do that much damage in such little time. I think the stress of moving homes was the last straw for my little guy.

Let it be, boycott the store instead. If you fight them buying there again is off the table anyway.

Happy belated Birthday, btw.

 

Sorry, that implicitly means "alive only".

Let it be, boycott the store instead. If you fight them buying there again is off the table anyway.

Happy belated Birthday, btw.

Thank you! I ended up going in and they were really nice about it, tested my water, and agreed it couldn't have been the ammonia. They didn't have anymore so they gave me store credit to get a new one, and hopefully then they'll be healthy ones. I think I was so stressed about this that I couldn't see anything positive