4 Year Old Honey Gourami Just Sits Above Filter Permanently

[TropiZo]

Hi
 
I have a 4 year old (approx) Honey Gourami that I am concerned about.  He spent his younger years chasing his wife around the tank and being very active, she died about a year ago  (from persisent chasing, I'm not sure).  Anyway he was fine after this, kept making bubble nests now and again and swimming around as normal.  As he was so aggressive towards his wife we decided to leave him on his own. In the last few months he has just spent most of his time (now permanently) sitting above the filter, in the top corner of my tank, not doing anything.  He isn't very bothered when it's feeding time but does seem to eat if it comes his way.  Is he just old?  I can't see any disease or reason for him to be poorly.  Should I help him on his way as he clearly isn't enjoying life anymore just sitting there.
 
Any advice much appreciated.
 
Many thanks

 

[Shelster]

I have a ratio of 1:4 females. That way each female gets a bit of a rest.

He is a good age, I assume your water stats are ok?

When did you last do a water change? How much?

Size of tank?

Other tank mates?

Size of water change?

Potentially get some females to give him a 'zest for life' again.... However would like to see answers to the above first.

Thanks, and welcome to the forum

 

[Metka]

As shelster said we need to know your water stats to accurately give advice, although it does sound like he "has nothing to live for".
If your water stats are fine and he isn't being bullied by any larger tank mates then I would suggest getting 2 or 3 females for him to play with. Don't forget to get some tall or floating plants for them to hide amongst

 

[snazy]

If he's 4 years old, he maybe just old. I'd leave him be.
My nearly 2 year old guppies aren't as playful as they were and would spend quite a bit of time just sitting in the flow and getting their fins blown away, not moving otherwise.

 

[TropiZo]

Hi all, sorry I'm not getting email notifications of replies so only just found all these.
 
Water's good, 0, 0, 5-10 which is what it's always been since we finished fishless cycling.  His tankmates currently are: 2 Five band barbs (were first fish in the tank 3-4 years ago), 3 harlequin rasboras (also first fish), 2 Otos, 5 golden neons and 4 cardinal tetras.  60 litre tank. (previously did have recommended numbers of all the fish but they have passed away over the years).
 
Have been considering a Betta Fish possibly when Mr Gourami goes to fishy heaven (although might have changed my mind, hubby thinks they are boring as they just sit about in the shops tanks!).  Hence not keen to get more Gouramis.  He definitely doesn't seem sick, no visible signs and he's still eating, so am tempted to think he's just old.  Just wanted to make sure he wasn't unhappy.
 
Hubby does approx 1/3 water change every week to 2 weeks and squeezes half the filter sponge out every other change.

 

[JoebW]

He may be stressed or infected I'd def check up on the parameters

 

[DreamertK]

Does he have any other symptoms? Stringy waste?

 

[MBOU]

To be honest, lounging around in top corners isn't too drastically an abnormal behaviour, I found honey gouramis often did this as part of their normal behavours, more and more so as they got older and felt less need to keep searching for food and stuffing their faces.