Loss Of Balance In Blue Gourami

[Foxx_in_socks]

My blue gourami was absolutely fine, then 20 minutes later couldn't swim straight - it has two long feelers underneith, one of them is shorter than the other.
The feeler may have been bitten off - would that cause the loss of balance?
i would really appreciate some help as this fish really has a personality and is my best one!
Please help!!!

 

[jollysue]

I am not a Gourami expert. I am sure the feelers are important, though

I would isolate the fish from the nipper and make sure it can eat. It is at a disadvantage.

 

[Foxx_in_socks]

she seems to have straightened up now! hopefully she'll stay that way!
thanks

 

[WILDER]

Gouramis are very prone to bacterial infections.
Has the fish bloated up.
What do you feed the fish and what are your water stats.

 

[Foxx_in_socks]

she hasn't bloated at all, and seem kind of ok now, it happened when i introduced a male to the tank, wondered if it was something to do with that.
also, heard that shelled peas are good for them, is that fresh or can you use frozen - also do they have to be cut or can they go in whole?

 

[jollysue]

Again, I don't know much about Gouramis. If Gouramis will take peas, you blanch the pea (frozen is fine) until it is soft. I nuke frozen peas. Then deshell and smush between your fingers. The pea will sink. If your Gourami won't go after a sinking or sunk pea, try not smushing it. Many fish also like cucumber.

Watch the couple and don't let the fellow harrass her. Some boys can be insatiable. Constant harassment can kill a female from stress.

 

[Foxx_in_socks]

well, they're in a large tank with lots of other species of fish, the three gourami's i have are extremely mellow (even for gourami's) i dont think she's getting harrassed. ive tried cucumber, but nothing seemed to want it, i'll try peas as i think all the veggie eaters are murdering all my plants!

 

[jollysue]

Yeah! Sometimes like children they have to be hungry enough to eat their veggies. I will sometimes fast them a little and then offer them some greens.

I had to take certain plants out of my Sorority/Syno catfish/BN Plec tank, because the Synos were eating the soft leafed plants. Bad, bad children! My Corys dig up the plants to get to the black worms that try to hide in the roots.

Good luck! Glad they are ok!

 

[Foxx_in_socks]

awwww, jeese - another problem, i've got silver sharks theyre all fine except one whose stomach has swelled alot in the space of about 2 hours! have put some anti-secondary infection in the water, any other suggestions??
(also, when a male and female are kind of dancing in a circle together and wagging their tails on each other, does that mean a bit of wink wink nudge nudge??)

 

[jollysue]

They are either dancing or sizing each other up. Just keep an eye on them. You didn't say which were dancing though. But I know nothing about the Gourami or the shark mating dance, anyway.

You are sure the shark is bloated and not got a belly full from overeating? If it is a belly full of food, then you might be able to see the dark in the belly.

 

[Joemuz]

Sounds like your gourami has a swim bladder problem, has it managed tom keep its ballance now or is it still a little wobbly?

Cheers, Joemuz