Gourami Not Eating

[stars1021]

Hello.

I have one "kissing' gourami and he is not eating. He looks healthy- but when I put the food in, nothing.

I just recently changed the water- and had it tested to make sure it was safe.

Any ideas on what I should do???

Thanks!

 

[sylvia]

How long has this tank been set up? What other fish are in it and how many of each? How large is the tank and how big is the kissing gourami?

Also, do you know deffinately that it's a male? These fish cannot be sexed visualy unless they spawn - has it spawned in your tank? If so, what happened to its mate?

It worries me that you 'had the water tested'. You need to have your own test kit. if you don't, go get one immediately. Regardless, what were the parameters? I'm asking for actual values here - not just the 'everythin'g ok' that all LFSs will give you when they test your water and ammonia is at 5ppm!

What is the temperature int he tank also? And is your current strong? How's your pH? Have you added any wood to the tank altely - or maybe some plants?

For the time being, try feeding your fish some blanched greens such as zuchini and also get some frozen green peas - de-shell them and crush them before feeding. These green foods are essential components for kissing gourami diets (they are largely herbivorous) and will also prevent constipation.
Don't feed it anything for a day after that and then give it some live or frozen foods - eg bloodworm, brine shrimp or, better yet, some daphnia.

I assume the fish doesn't appear bloated, is not producing white/stringy poo and is acting perfectly normal besides the lack of appetite.

 

[stars1021]

How long has this tank been set up? What other fish are in it and how many of each? How large is the tank and how big is the kissing gourami?

Also, do you know deffinately that it's a male? These fish cannot be sexed visualy unless they spawn - has it spawned in your tank? If so, what happened to its mate?

It worries me that you 'had the water tested'. You need to have your own test kit. if you don't, go get one immediately. Regardless, what were the parameters? I'm asking for actual values here - not just the 'everythin'g ok' that all LFSs will give you when they test your water and ammonia is at 5ppm!

What is the temperature int he tank also? And is your current strong? How's your pH? Have you added any wood to the tank altely - or maybe some plants?

For the time being, try feeding your fish some blanched greens such as zuchini and also get some frozen green peas - de-shell them and crush them before feeding. These green foods are essential components for kissing gourami diets (they are largely herbivorous) and will also prevent constipation.
Don't feed it anything for a day after that and then give it some live or frozen foods - eg bloodworm, brine shrimp or, better yet, some daphnia.

I assume the fish doesn't appear bloated, is not producing white/stringy poo and is acting perfectly normal besides the lack of appetite.

How long has this tank been set up? What other fish are in it and how many of each? How large is the tank and how big is the kissing gourami?

Also, do you know deffinately that it's a male? These fish cannot be sexed visualy unless they spawn - has it spawned in your tank? If so, what happened to its mate?

It worries me that you 'had the water tested'. You need to have your own test kit. if you don't, go get one immediately. Regardless, what were the parameters? I'm asking for actual values here - not just the 'everythin'g ok' that all LFSs will give you when they test your water and ammonia is at 5ppm!

What is the temperature int he tank also? And is your current strong? How's your pH? Have you added any wood to the tank altely - or maybe some plants?

For the time being, try feeding your fish some blanched greens such as zuchini and also get some frozen green peas - de-shell them and crush them before feeding. These green foods are essential components for kissing gourami diets (they are largely herbivorous) and will also prevent constipation.
Don't feed it anything for a day after that and then give it some live or frozen foods - eg bloodworm, brine shrimp or, better yet, some daphnia.

I assume the fish doesn't appear bloated, is not producing white/stringy poo and is acting perfectly normal besides the lack of appetite.

This tank has been set up for about 2 years, there are currently no other fish in it. It is a 10 gallon tank. I am not sure if it is a male or female. I do have my own testing kit, and the pH level was 7.2. I just wanted to make sure, so I took a water sample to my local pet store. I am not sure of the exact values, I should have asked. The temperature of the tank is 76 and I have not added any wood. The fish does not look bloated or white poo. I will try the pea thing you suggested. Thanks for responding.

 

[sylvia]

First of all, kissing gouramies need a much larger tank (30 gallons absolute minnimum) - they rapidly grow to around 9" and can get to 12". I know your fish is probably still young but it's important to move it to an appropriate tank if you want it to be ehalthy and stress-free.

If you haev a test kit, why don't you test your water now? Post your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

What I'm wondering is how this tank, having been set up for 2 years, now only contains this one kissing gourami. I assume the previous inhabitants were moved out or something. the thing is, if the tank was kept empty for any more than a few hours between removing th previous fish and adding the gourami, the 'good' bacteria that are so important for maintaining stable conditions and a cycled tank will have begun to die. This is obviously going to cause problems if you are introducing a chunky (if not large), very fast-growing fish to the tank and your water parameters may turn out to not be ideal. To clarify, this isn't necessarily the cause of your gourami's apparent destress but it would certainly help to rule this out.

Good luck with the peas in the meantime! He/she may simply need some time to settle in.