Honey gourami on his way out. What to do?

[Fishy_Dan]

My male honey gourami is in a bad way. He's been losing his colour recently, and had been doing the occasional stringy white poop. Today, after I changed the water, he's in really bad shape. He's struggling to swim, bouncing off of things, and laying on the plants for stability. See the picture below, he stayed in that position for a long time, not even moving when I put my finger right up to the glass next to him.

I guess it's too late for him now. The 3 other female honeys all seem fine, as do the hengli rasbora.

So what should I do? Water parameters are unchanged (0,0,20). Although I'm battling a black algae issue at the moment, but doubt that's related. If it's suspected illness should I treat the other fish in the tank just in case? How does an illness get into an established tank anyway? Everything was fine just a month ago and nothing has changed since then.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Fishy_Dan]

Also, I have amano shrimp in this tank. So if I should treat it are there invert safe treatments?

 

[Utar]

First, what are your water parameters, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? How long has your aquarium been setup, is it a new setup?
How often do you do water changes? How long have you had your honey gourami and where did you purchase him?

Stringy white poop can be a symptom of several problems, a possible internal bacteria infection, or something else, it is hard to tell. But with him being so listless, I would say a bacteria infection. I am sorry to say I am not very good and diagnosing fish diseases.

Hopefully, @Colin_T will better answer your fish's issues, he is our resident expert on this subject. I still have a lot to learn about fish diseases.

 

[Fishy_Dan]

Thanks.

Water parameters are normal, 0 ammonia and nitrite, 20-30ppm nitrate (comes out the tap at 30ppm). The aquarium has been set up about 6 months and the fish have been in about 5 months, it's heavily planted.

I change 60% of the water every 5 days.

I read the stringy white poop article and it sounds like it could be worms. But if I treat with eSHa-ndx will that kill my shrimp?

 

[Fishy_Dan]

He's not got long left now. Can't stay off the bottom. As soon as he stops moving he sinks.

What's the best way euthanize?

 

[Fishy_Dan]

amazingly he's swimming again, but really struggling. He appears to be bumping into things on purpose, is he scratching? Parasites? Would worms make a fish scratch?