FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hi I have a three spot gourami, about 18 months old that for the last couple of weeks has been:

- swimming at about 45 degrees with head towards surface
- not the most vigourous of swimmers, but not exactly clinging to one spot in the tank
- tail drooping down a little and dorsal kind of clinging a little to the back I guess
- colours are a little on the palish side
- eats fine when fed
- not being bullied

I have a smaller 3 spot in there that is the exact opposite, so I have a comparison fish.

The tank is 4 foot and about 8 years old (but established in my new house for the last 4.5 years)

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate are zero and pH is ever so slightly basic (palest blue). Temp is around 26 - 27 Celsius.

All the other fish are fine, and have been for ages.

I'm going away for a week at xmas so I'd prefer to fix it up or if I need to need to - get rid of it beforehand rather than having it croak it during the time away.

If anyone has any ideas let me know.

Get a torch and have a really good look at the skin. See if there is anything that looks like salt, pollen, frost, or any discolouration.

Also, have a look at the gut. See if it is sunken in at the sides and check that the underside of the fish looks smoothly curved, not tucked in around the ribcage.

Do the finds look thickened or glued together in spots?

My guess is bacterial, and not too bad if it is still eating.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thanks for the reply.

Colour wise, the only thing is that it is a lot paler than normal. No skin abnormalities, or growths etc.

And it kind of looks like it is tucking it's tail under itself (like a dog with it't tail between it's legs - kinda)

And it is still eating and chasing like normal.

It just doesn't look right and because it's been a couple of weeks...

I dunno.

If it's still eating it might be worth a try giving some medicated foods.

You said it's 18 months old, was it adult sized when you got it?


^_^

Nah, pretty small. Probably about 4cm. I try to buy younger fish if I can. It's now around 10cm.

Without anything definite, it might be worth trying something like Pimafix.

If you can find medicated food, that is also worth a try but it can be tricky to locate. I think Pets Paradise stocks some by Jungle, but I have not checked lately.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett