Ill Dwarf Gourami

[Jim_D]

Hi. My male Dwarf Gourami is ill. He started off appearing to be more shy than usual and I also noticed that when he went up for food he was swimming at a funny angle. The next day, he was lying on his side at the bottom of the tank. I thought he was dead but when I got near him with the net he flapped away. He has been like this for a few days now, just lying on his side but does still move from one part of the tank to another. Does anyone know what he has and whether it can be treated, or would the best thing for the fish to be destroyed.

Thanks

 

[snake007]

Sorry but it sounds like classic Dwarf gourami disease.
Could you please tell me what your water parameters are (ie nitrite, nitrate, ammonia)
What are his tankmates?
How long has the tank been set up?

 

[Jim_D]

Thanks. The tank has been set up about 11 months. The other fish in the tank are 6 Harlequin Rasboras, 3 Platies and 1 Oto. None of them are showing any signs of illness. The DG has been in the tank about 2 months. Will need to check the parameters later. Normally do approx 20% water changes about once a week.

 

[JohnDyer]

It sounds like my dwarf gourami has the exact same issue. He's been lying on his side for 2 days now. I wasn't feeling hopeful for his chances, but since yours lived on his side for 5 days, I should still have a chance.
How did yours turn out?
What was the cause?
How did you treat it?

Thanks!

 

[Jim_D]

He stayed as he was for about a week but didn't show any signs of improvemnt. He also developed sores on his face so I thought the best thing for him was to put him out of his misery, which was difficult to bring myself to do.

How is your fish doing?