Sheepsnana Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 Hi All, I was looking into whether or not my Golden Honey Dwarf Gourami's behavior lately was normal or not, and every site I found referenced this article: Practical Fish Keeping - Gourami virus My gourami's are slightly lethargic, but still able to swim when I add food. The current has been increased recently, and they enjoy a good swim, but afterwards the go and have a longer than expected rest (while the guppies keep on swimming). One of them is starting to go pale, while the other is still well coloured. The main thing that has me concerned is that they are resting in the top corners of the tank. Two will "sit" on floating plants and the third wedges himself between the glass and the filter. My tank is not overstocked, I have plenty of filtration capacity, parameters are checked weekly and are fine, water is changed about 15% every 3 days or so (due to cleaning up bristlenose poop) with a 30% change every 2 weeks. Tank temp is 26º (+/- 1º due to outside weather) I think I'm being paranoid, but I'ld love to hear from others who have kept Golden Honey Dwarf Gourami as to whether or not their fish were tired often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 may be that they are not used to the high-flow environment... Naturally, they are in slow moving, tannin-rich streams... as for the virus thing... :dunno: I'd just keep an eye on them myself and see if it is a continuous behaviour, or if they start to lose some form/ weight. {edit} - After a read through that article, It says that they go off thier food, seeing as yours are still eating, I wouldn't be immediately worried. It also says they tend to become darker with the infection, rather than the lightening you have described. I wouldn't worry about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 seeing as yours are still eating, I wouldn't be immediately worried.My thoughts also. It also says they tend to become darker with the infection, rather than the lightening you have described.They have a black strip on the edge of the pelvic/anal fin, but the golden yellow has changed to a pale yellow, almost white. So "darkening" is a little vague. I wouldn't worry about it. Good to hear, I hope I'm just being paranoid and that my fish are just tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted March 4, 2012 Report Share Posted March 4, 2012 could be a number of other things that cause a colour change, Mood being the most difficult to determine, but even down to hierarchy amongst the inhabitants and displays between members of the group. unless they show definate signs of distress, I'd say your being paranoid... :slfg: least you are looking out the best you can for em eh? :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I would go with the higher current causing them to stay in the corners of the tank. As for colouring I used 'google' which is great for reading up on various information as long as you realise that most of the articles on it do not have a huge background of scientific data. It suggests that if they are unsettled they may lose colour but I am also wondering if they are different sexes and the male has better colouring. How long have you had them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 could be a number of other things that cause a colour change, Mood being the most difficult to determine thought as much even down to hierarchy amongst the inhabitants and displays between members of the group.could this include the new larger gourami? unless they show definate signs of distress, I'd say your being paranoid... :slfg: I wish this was the case, but they've begun swimming sideways. least you are looking out the best you can for em eh? :thup:I try. I would go with the higher current causing them to stay in the corners of the tank.Makes sense, but they really seem to be enjoying the current. When I disturb the plants, they go straight for another swim. As for colouring I used 'google' which is great for reading up on various information as long as you realise that most of the articles on it do not have a huge background of scientific data.I am aware of this, I was rather skeptical until several sites recommended the same article It suggests that if they are unsettled they may lose colour but I am also wondering if they are different sexes and the male has better colouring.This would be a nice outcome. How long have you had them?Since November, but the non-dwarf gourami are about 3 weeks old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I have heard that dwarf gourami can be hard to keep. Hopefully someone will contribute who has kept them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Fins are now being clamped, but under the light I can see a couple of white worms about 6mm in length swimming in the current. One of my guppies had a go at one of them (thinking it was food?) and it did that wriggly thing like a pig's tail. Idea's on how to treat the WATER for worms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 white worms about 6mm in length swimming in the current how are your water parameters and when was your last water change Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Water parameters are good, No Ammonia, Nitrite, or Nitrates. Water changes are being done every three days, occasionally every second day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 After close inspection, they're not worms. :happy1: :facepalm: :nilly: Image borrowed for educational purposes only. I do not own, nor do I claim to own, this image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 mozzie larvae usually prefer quiet and still waters, see that bit breaking the surface (tail-like appendage) ? Thats its siphon for breathing, therefore, moving water is not USUALLY preferable... their presence is unexpected. Fish will sort 'em out... As for your Gourami's... Larger gouramis tend to cause the dwarf-varieties to become shy and stress in my experience with them, might explain some colouration issues, or like Adrian pointed out, sexual dimorphism may also be a possibility. Clamped fins is not a good sign. Though, to be honest, There are a lot (no, really, HEAPS!) of poor quality gouramis pouring out of Asia for the last 4-5 years. It could be poor stock with low tolerance to stress (caused by larger gouramis being present, may not even necessarily have to physical impact, just the presence) causing issues... I'll again point out that this is personal experience and nothing concrete or researched or commonly accepted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 mozzie larvae usually prefer quiet and still waters, see that bit breaking the surface (tail-like appendage) ? Thats its siphon for breathing, therefore, moving water is not USUALLY preferable... their presence is unexpected. I suspect that the larvae were there just before the new airhose was put in. The guppies made quick work of them once the current got them moving. I didn't recognize the first one because a guppy had already helped itself to the head. Goes to show how much paranoia can do.... Anyway, Two of the Gourami are still swimming around ok-ish, just slower than normal swimming and a lot more rest. The third is resting in the net, as he's started to bloat :facepalm: I don't think he's got long. Although, since he's doing so bad, and the others aren't as bad, I'm a bit more optimistic about them. Does no one else keep dwarf gourami? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Just an update, the one that started to bloat has died. Quickly removed. The other two seem to be doing better. One has even stopped clamping his fins. :thup: The other still has a little clamping... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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