Blue Gourami

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

My blue gourami is pale and bobs up to the top of the water. he can still swim, but it takes obvious effort to get down to the bottom again. He isnt floating sideways, he just floats straight up and his back sticks out of the water. He will still get dark when the other gourami picks a fight, but after its all over, he goes back to pale (almost white). Im not sure if hes eating. He takes big gulps of air very often when hes at the top floating, but has gone 15+ mins when he is on the tank floor. He goes under his favorite branch and props himself against the top and side so he doesnt float up. He wasnt using one of his fins much last night, cant see him under his branch right now to tell if he is or not. it can still move, he just seems to hold it clamped shut the majority of the time. All other fish in the tank are fine and my water tests are all in normal range. I thought it may be a swim bladder problem, but after reading about that it sounded like they are stuck at the bottom of the tank, not the top. What is wrong with my biggest blue boy and what can I do about it?? Please help!

 

[Inchworm]

What other fish are in the tank with him? How big is the tank?

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

29gal (US) with a rubber eel, 2 other blue gouramis, 2 congo tetras, 1 rainbow bosamananananananani (cant spell it) and a soon to be rehoused bala shark.

 

[OscarCichlid]

My guess would be that the other Gouramis are herassing him. Gouramis are very territorial and blues are among the most aggressive gouramis in my experiences. A 29 Gallon tank is just not big enough for 3 blue gouramis.

 

[jh1987]

he is just very streest out you should put salt inthe water if it likes it

 

[OscarCichlid]

Putting salt in your tank depends on your other fish. What exactly is in your tank other then Gouramis?

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

I put in my post what other fish are in there. Also, I dont think hes stressed out as they have all been together for a year and each has their own territory so they are not really fighting over that. And he is "BOBBING" to the top like hes full of air. So I would appreciate it if someone could try and figure out what is wrong with my fish.

 

[OscarCichlid]

Sorry about that i didnt see your other post. With those fish you can add salt. Most people say that gouramis and salt dont mix but my gouramis do great in salt. This is a tough question and i hope this helps. When my 55 gallon tank was leaking i put all my fish in my only other tank at the time a 10 gallon. When i put them back in the 55 my 2 blue gouramis and my gold were bobbing on the top of the tank to. I did a wayter change and added salt and within days they were better. As long as he is not being herassed, and you do not see any visual signs of stress, and he is eating he should be fine. And yes if i were you i would add some salt to the water but not to much. Good Luck

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

Thanks for the advice. I have "Doc Wellfish's Aquarium Salt", will that work and how much should I put in?? BTW He has been at the top of the tank for 2 days now. Havent seen him swim down to the bottom. Have you ever seen a kid in a air tube at the pool? He kinda moves in jerky movements like that. Also, he has now got brown tinted thick lines on his sides (not a lot, just 2 or 3) and his "butt" looks a bit brownish as well. All other fish are still uneffected. OH and about my rubber eel, will he be ok with the salt?? Dont want to hurt my Ely!

 

[CraZ4fiSHieS]

Oh! I jsut saw him try to swim down and saw his back and its all brown and I realized it may be that his scales are being burned by being so close to the top light all day? Could that be what is turning him colors cause its most prominant on his top. My poor fish! Please let me know if the salt is safe for my eel so i can get on it right away!

 

[OscarCichlid]

ok put 1 tablespoon for every 5 gallons. What you do is take him out in your net anf run your finger on the brown spots. If they are hard then it may be to late. Also see if his feelers are spliting apart. Once any of my Gouramis have had hard scales and spliting feelers i have never brought them back to full health. Good LucK I hope it helps i hate to hear of a fish casualty