Female Dwarf Gourami

[csjasona]

I have one male and one female dwarf g. When spawning, the male chases the female and nips her, as is (sadly!) normal behaviour. However, it looks like he has wounded her right flank and there is a wound there; this seems to be getting bigger, ever-so-slowly.

Is there anything I could/should do to help it heal? Can I be sure it is a wound and not some odd infection?

 

[WILDER]

I would add some melafix can you issolate her why she gets better.

 

[sylvia]

Seperate her from the male (but move the male out, rather than her, or she'll be stressed unduly).

Are you definite the wound is getting bigger? Have you seen the male nipping at her more or does it appear to be getting larger on its own?

Melafix is a good idea. Salt can also help but make sure none of your other fish are intolerant of it (eg: cories).

Is there any sign of a secondary infection? Any white or fuzzy edges to the injury? If there is, can you say whether it's fungal or bacterial? Either way, most anti-fungus & finrot meds. will work to fight secondary infections but lowering the water temperature to 76 deg F is also crucial. Only do this if you can see there's a secondary infection as lowering the temp. also slows healing and can be stressful if not done very gradualy.

Any inflammation anywhere else on the body? How is her appetite? Is she bloated? Behaviour-wise, is she acting as usual or does she appear lethargic? The reason I'm asking these questions is incase this is an ulcer. If it is, and is getting larger, there is unfortunately little chance of recovery. A strong antibiotic, more effective if added to food, will be necessary and you'll also have to isolate. Fingers crossed this is not what she has.

Assuming she survives this experience, I suggest you consider buying another female in future so that the male's attention is split between the females. That way there's less chance of something like this happening again. Unfortunately, most gouramies shouldn't be kept as male/female pairs.

 

[csjasona]

I'll get some MelaFix today, then.

He is still nipping at her - he was trying to build naother bubblenest today. And the wound is getting a little bigger, yes.

Other than that she seems fine. Eating, still swimming as normal. Still able to zoom away from the unwanted advances of the male!

The wound looks like the scales have been pulled off at an angle, so that was why I thought it was due to the male nipping her.

Should I get the new female today or wait 'til this one has (hopefully) recovered?

Seperate her from the male (but move the male out, rather than her, or she'll be stressed unduly).

Are you definite the wound is getting bigger? Have you seen the male nipping at her more or does it appear to be getting larger on its own?

Melafix is a good idea. Salt can also help but make sure none of your other fish are intolerant of it (eg: cories).

Is there any sign of a secondary infection? Any white or fuzzy edges to the injury? If there is, can you say whether it's fungal or bacterial? Either way, most anti-fungus & finrot meds. will work to fight secondary infections but lowering the water temperature to 76 deg F is also crucial. Only do this if you can see there's a secondary infection as lowering the temp. also slows healing and can be stressful if not done very gradualy.

Any inflammation anywhere else on the body? How is her appetite? Is she bloated? Behaviour-wise, is she acting as usual or does she appear lethargic? The reason I'm asking these questions is incase this is an ulcer. If it is, and is getting larger, there is unfortunately little chance of recovery. A strong antibiotic, more effective if added to food, will be necessary and you'll also have to isolate. Fingers crossed this is not what she has.

Assuming she survives this experience, I suggest you consider buying another female in future so that the male's attention is split between the females. That way there's less chance of something like this happening again. Unfortunately, most gouramies shouldn't be kept as male/female pairs.

 

[sylvia]

Definately wait for her to recover as, if it's not just the result of nipping, you don't want the new gourami to catch the infection. Having said that, it realy is important that you find a way of seperating her from the male. Alternatively, get rid of his bubblenest and increase the water flow in the tank to prevent him from building another and that'll hopefuly reduce his aggression considerably. The longer this wound is picked at by the male and doesn't heal, the more likely the female is to end up with a secondary, potentialy lethal, infection.

 

[csjasona]

Sadly, I have to report that the female DG died today Even though the treatment seemed to be going well - and she was eating well and swimming normally - whatever is was simply proved to be too much for her.

Now, what should I do with regard to the treatment? My guess is that I should continue it so that I get the full 7 days of treatment, at least. Should I treat for 10 days, just in case?

 

[dgwebster]

am really sorry to read up on your plight jasonA.

I lost a danios due to a bite during spawning.

 

[quicksilver22]

http/az.essortment.com/breedinggourami_rdks.htm

http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/anabanti...gouramicare.htm

http/www.dibdabdoo.com/pets/breedgouramis.htm


I find these to be three fairly helpful articles taht I have used in the past when referencing people to breeding and care of gouramis,

I'm sorry about your loss, but I hope you continue to try to breed, as it is very fullfilling to see them grow (atleast the ones that make it )

hope the articles help!!!

 

[csjasona]

Even more problems, now. The male gourami has passed away. He seemed p[erfectly fine this morning - just got home and he was at the bottom of the tank. He never seemed to be ill at all - no scars, lumps, wounds, nothing. I'm continuing to use the malfix - should I continue this or stop it and use something else? I don't want to lose any more of the fish!

Maybe it was the water temp that was too high for the gouramis? It is about 28Celcious in there now - the heater is set lower than this but it has been very hot in London the last two days.