TopThrill182

Hi all. These forums look like a great place to get information, and I'm hoping to get some help on my most recent fish dilemma...

I recently restarted my 10 gallon freshwater aquarium. It had been neglected (maintenance wise) for quite some time, so I finally figured it would be best to get a clean start.

I transferred a Boesemani Rainbow into the restarted 10 gallon from my other tank. A few weeks later, I purchased a two Gouramis (a Red Fire Dwarf Gourami and a Cobalt Blue Gourami). The two started off very well and seemed quite healthy... until recently.

Yesterday afternoon while feeding the tank I noticed that the Red Gourami wasn't eating... It was cowering down in the corner by the heater. Upon closer observation, there seem to be no external signs of disease. His colors are all still there, and I don't see any visible wounds or gouges. His back fin is a bit nipped... but not too bad. He still spends most of his time near the bottom of the tank doing little swimming (and still is not eating). When the lights are off though, he does seem able to swim around, just very timid to do so.

The Cobalt Blue Gourami is also a bit worrysome... It's fins are somewhat frayed and don't seem to be improving even with my addition of Stress coat periodically over the past week or so. At least this Gourami is swimming and eating though...

I immediately started a round of MelaFix, and intend on putting in Stress Coat daily. But I guess I'm pessimistic that this will solve the underlying stress these fish are exhibiting. It seems after my research that the stress could be due 1.) Water Quality 2.) Aggressive Fish 3.) Disease. Since there seem to be no external signs of disease, I guess that only leaves some sort of internal infection...

Water Quality - I've been keeping up on my water changes and maintenance. Upon testing the water there seems to be nothing that rings alarm bells (no ammonia). pH remains steady.

Aggressive Fish - I do admit its possible the Boesemani is stressing the Gouramis. Then again, I'm not really sure and am resistant to do anything rash.

Disease - Again I feel safe in ruling out any external disease, but obviously some sort of internal infection is possible.

So my options: I have a nearby pet store so can go out and get any chemicals. I do have a 45 gallon tank to work with BUT this tank was just restarted (this week), and it has only been cycled for 48 hours. While the water SHOULD be ok for fish according to my new filter's instructions, it seems rather risky to put either fish into the tank (I was thinking more along the lines of Danios first).

I'd appreciate ANY advice. Thanks!

Thanks!

Jay

Hey TopThrill182...Welcome to our forum

I am having a difficult time getting the time lines straight after reading your post. It seems that you did not cycle the tanks before you put fish in? if not...that is probably the source of the stress. Also, IMO those fish are or will become too big for a ten gallon tank and that could be another source of stress.

Stress coat is essentially a water conditioner and of controversial therapeutic value. I would be more interested in a complete set of tank parameters. GH KH Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrates. Plus the same for your water source. I definitely would stand down from adding stress coat daily.

I would add osmoregulation to your list of stressors caused by no cycle and chemical dosing.

Let us hear back.

Jay

louistheloach

The whole cowering thing seems to be similar to what my two boesmani's were doing. Initially it seemed to be an even stand off as they tried to establish dominion in the tank. Eventually one of them got the other backed into a corner of the tank, literally. This fish would then only swim or move about in a very restricted area but most of the time he just hung in one little area.

So on top of stress due to what Jay is referring to, there could be an on going battle for dominion with one now appearing to be in control. This would explain why both fins are nipped. Gouramis can be aggressive to other fish as well as their own breed, color variation.

Just something to consider.....

good luck with it all. Gourami's are really beautiful fish, but they and the rainbow need a much bigger tank.

Louistheloach