Hi-

I have a 55 gal tank (upgraded from a 20 about three weeks ago. Had 20 gallon for about 2 years.)

My Powder Blue Gourami became listless, semi-hiding and stopped eating. His abdomen bloated quite a bit, but he never "pineconed". In fact, when looking at the fish head on, the left side was actually more swollen than the right. (Does this mean anything?). His only defacation was very long, white, and filament looking.

After reading around on various sites, I pulled him out and put him into the only other availalbe tank I had, which was a 2 gallon tank I used to keep my betta in.

I pulled about 1 gallon of water from the 55 gallon tank for the seclusion tank. Water conditions were good in the 55 gallon (but it was not completely cycled). From my notes, 55 gal tank conditions on 4/7/07 were:
temp= 79 deg F
PH = 7.6
Alkalinity = 180
Hardness = 120
Nitrites = 0
Nitrates = 0
Amonia = 0

Powder Blue Gourami was started on a treatment of Maracyn-Two on 4/8/07 for dropsy. Dosage was given per directions but cut down for the 2 gallon capacity of the tank.

Gourami's swelling did decrease, however, he never really started eating. Maybe a nibble at a FD Bloodworm, but he would not touch peas, flake food, algae tab. (Still won't)

On the 4th day of the 5 day treatment, a small bundle of "fuzz" appeared on the left appendage. By day 5, it had doubled in size (both diameter and length). It was about the size of 1/2 a fluffed grain of rice.

I started a treatment of Maroxy that day based on the descriptions from the Mardel guide. Discontinued Maracyn-Two after day 5's dosage. A 25% water change was also done on this date.

In trying to scoop out uneaten food, Gourami rubbed against the spoon I was using, and the fuzzy thing slid right off of him. I scooped that out as well.

Water quality visually looks bad because of the meds, however all readings are in line with the original readings. The exception is hardness which increased to 425. Temperature is 78 deg. Is the hardness due to the meds?

As of today 4/15/07, Gourami still will not eat, just floats about halfway up in the water, not excessivley breathing, nor are his fins clamped. However, I am starting to see "fuzz" on his dorsal fin and on the other appendage. Very minor, but noticeable. He is looking thin (I think) and his left side is still a little larger than his right. Both are much smaller than when he was quarantined.

Do I continue his stay and another course of meds? Same one(s) or something different? Or is some other course of action in line?

Thank you for your time. Please let me know if I have left out something important you need to know....

M.C.

Hi MC, I think you did an excellent job describing the problems. That fuzz is in all likelyhood a fungus that is taking advantage of the weakened immune state of the gourami. It's of little concern however, as fungus is easily cleared up with proper treatment, which can be as simple as adding a little salt to the water. Of greater concern is the protruding belly. That could be caused by kidney failure, or an infection, either way, you can try a round of broad spectrum antibiotics (my favorite is erithromyacin)... try soaking a freezdried bloodworm in it, then giving it to the gourami. If there's no improvement in his eating within three days, then try another round of Maracyn-Two, since that did reduce the bloating. Also, add some stress coat to the water to boost the immune defenses.

Hope that helps.

Good response SM. Just to add, I have had good results for this scenario by combining Maracyn and Maracyn 2.

Thanks both of you for the very prompt responses! I will update in a few days... hopefully with good news.
MC

Hi again...

I added stress coat, aquarium salt and the antibiotic.....

I know it's only been a day, but as of tonight when I got home from work, the poor guy still will not eat, the fungus is getting worse and to top it all off, I think he's shrinking. His skin is looking "wrinkled" and he's smaller than when this all started. (Not less swollen, but smaller in overall size.)

He's been secluded for 9 days..... do I keep trying.... or have things gone too far? I feel as if I have failed and am very sad.

Your advice is appreciated.

mc