Gourami's Stomach Swollen Into A Ball

[metalcherry]

I posted this in the Gourami subforum hoping it was just mearly gravid but found out that the fish is most possibly sick.

So heres the post that i put up

i have 1 thicklipped Gourami and while in the current problems in my tank, i looked down and saw that their stomach has swollen into a ball only one side is a bit bigger than the other.

i do now know how to sex them but there are no breeding partners unless its possible for honey or pearl gouramis' can

Can someone tell me how to sex a thicklipped and whether this might be breeding time or maybe something like Dropsy?
It wasnt there yesterday either..i am panicking now since there seems to be an endless stream of problems arising over the past few days and nothing has been changed!!!

 

[omega59]

sounds & looks like fish dropsy. click the link below for more information. i hope he gets better real soon, i own 2 female gourami's just like yours.. dwarfs.

http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/dropsy/

 

[WILDER]

Are the scales sticking out.
Don't feed him for a few days.
Epson salt baths help draw the fluids out.
If you can issolate the sick fish try a bacterial med.

 

[metalcherry]

He® scales are not sticking out, the only thing i have noticed is that when i put my finger to the glass, they used to follow it up and down but now they dont even bother, just just swim away which is unusual cause they have always done it.
I also have not seen them eat - i put in some peas because i saw a thread saying the same problems and they tried some frozen peas but they wont even try them.

Last night (when the pics were taken) looked horrendous, today, the swelling seems to have came down a bit, its still quite swollen but not as round/football like but they are still not eating or playing with me

After the recent tradigies, i have put some bacterial and salts in - i would isolate but while trying to isolate the previous sick fish, i discovered a leak in the seal, so will need to patch it up before i can contain them.
Im taking a look at the link now - the swelling is very similar to as discribed, the eyes, im unsure if they are as bulgie, this fish has always had large pupils but i dont think they are bulging and the scales seem normal however, there are a few dark patches around the bulge.

 

[omega59]

pease should be cooked untill tender and then you mash them up.

 

[metalcherry]

Yip did that, goes down a treat with the loaches severum and melon barb but the goramis are having none of it lol

 

[WILDER]

You cook peas for a few minutes, let cool down then pop out of shell.
Mush between fingers into small peices and add to the tank.