We have a new tank and have had no trouble with any readings previously. We have followed instructions on everything to the letter. 20 gallon tank w/ undergravel filter and regular filter. Fish are 2 female and 1 male Creamsicle lyretail mollies, 1 emerald cory, and 2 dwarf blue gouramis. Ammonia finally spiked a little (we just tested it again), but barely. Treated for that. One of the blues is a little bloated, lazy, not eating, and laying on his side on the bottom. He will perk up and swim around if another fish bumps him, but it doesn't look good. All other fish are completely normal. We have added a little salt and stress coat, but nothing else. Just noticed it this afternoon when we got home. The blues are still within their 14 day guarantee period, but we'd like to save him if we can. (mollies went in first, then the gouramis and cory a week later when the readings were still good.) It does not look like pictures of dropsy that I have seen, but he is def not acting normally. Can someone help?

To me, it sounds like the tank hasn't fully cycled yet. While the Ammonia may be ok, the Nitrites may be spiking right now. How about the rest of the fish? Are they all very perky, or are they even just a little bit sluggish? My first suggestion would be to change about 4 or 5 gallons of water, and see if he perks up after a couple of hours. If not, he may be just be overly stressed by his new environment. Unfortuneately, stress coat is pretty much the only way to treat for that, but you've already added that.

Out of curiosity, are there any dark patches or sores on him? If so, then he may have a bacterial infection. That would definately change things.

No sores or patches. He is still his beautiful brilliant blue. :( We test for everything. Ammonia, PH, Nitrate, and Nitrite. The only thing up (finally) was the ammonia. Which we immediately treated for. We have been testing every single day (sometimes twice). I forgot to mention that we have live plants, but they went in before any fish did and were in the tank for a good 4 days prior (after an ice water bath of course as recommended). All the other fish are acting normal. The mollies are their normal funky, bickering selves. The other gourami isn't much of a partier himself, but he is acting normally. The cory is dancing around the place (again normal). You still think the water change is a good idea to try? Thanks for the prompt responses btw. I really didn't know who else to ask and it seems cruel to just "let" him die if there is anything I can do. :( I have clove oil if worst comes to worst, but not giving up yet.

ooo, I can take a picture. Would that help?

Its a good thing that u have tested ur tank. But can u give us the reading? Or the ppm levels. That would be more helpful. Thanks

-r33f-boy

Ammonia was .50 ppm (mg/L)
PH is 7.2
Nitrate/Nitrite at 0

you said you treated for the ammonia... how did you treat for it?

Yes I would still say do the water change... at worst it won't help at all, at best you'll see a good improvement.

How long have you had the lights on in the tank, and how full is the tank? Also, what temperature is the tank at? Finally, did you fill the tank from tap water or purified water?

A picture would be great.

I get the feeling it died already and that's why she hasn't been following up on this... :(

Very true....