Fat Dwarf Gourami not eating?

M

Mooch28

AC Members
Dec 24, 2004
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Toronto (Brampton)
Hey guys, my blue Dwarf Gourami has become quite fat within the last few weeks. He/she was eating fine, and i havent been over feeding. Is it possible, that its a female and pregnant? It seems fine overal, and not really stressed out. Do fish ever stop eating when pregnant. As for water condition, every thing is good and has been for a while.

Ph: 7.2
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 5
Nitrite: 0
KH: 4
GH: 9


Any idea whats up with the Gourami?
 
If it is a colourful dwarf it would be very rare that it is a female. Sounds like either constipation or dropsey. Hopefully it is constipation. If that is the case then try doing a forum search for epsom salt (magnesium sulphate I believe). When added to a tank it will act as a laxative and help relieve symptoms. Then adding veggies to the diet will help a lot. I don't remember the exact level of how much to add but a search should tell you.
 
Constipation can also be cured with peas sometimes. If you think it is that, I'd try peas first rather than a chemical solution. Just blanch or cook the pea, remove the skin, then drop it in the tank. Peas clean fish insides out fast.
 
I suggested the epsom salts (which are very mild) as it was mentioned that the gourami wasn't eating aat all. It may try eating a pea and could be worth a shot, but getting constipation cured quickly is generally a good thing.
 
I would try the Epsom Salts. I'm sitting here wondering how he's going to get a gourami, a top feeder to eat a pea, which is probably going to sink like a stone.
Also, with constipation they often lose their appetite and the Mg would probably be the better option because it will be taken up just by his swimming.
Doesn't this seem logical? Just my thoughts on the issue.
Mooch, with a kH of 4 your tank could probably use a small extra dose of Mg anyway.
Let us know how you proceed and how the patient responds to the treatment.

Len
 
Len, Yeah, it seems logical, but I would still try a natural cure first. If the pea goes uneaten, you remove it and then go the chemical route.
 
She could be carrying eggs to make her look fat, though it is highly unlikely that it is a female dwarf gourami. They aren't easy to buy.
 
Guys, would aquarium salts work? I have some laying around under my cabinet, and i also have a small 10 gallon treating tank which i can put the Gourami in for a few days......

By the way, whats mg?

Thanks.....
 
Mg is magnesium. Aquarium salt will not work as it is sodium chloride, as apposed to Magnesium sulfate. You can usually find epsoms salt in the foot care or first aid section.

The epsoms will not hurt anything else, so you're okay to add it directly to your tank. 1-2table spoons per 10g is good to start out.

Just to be sure, when you look at your gourami from above, do his scales stick out like a pinecone?
 
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