Pet Information > ASK Experts > Pet Fish > Fish > dying gouramis

dying gouramis

23 11:02:18

Question
QUESTION: I have a 10 gallon aquarium and enjoyed it so much that I bought a 29 gallon and plan to transition to the larger tank this week.  I had it for a year and kept tiger barbs but after 8 months or so they started to die off slowly.  There were five.  I asked about it and was told I need to change 20% of the water every one-two weeks which I was only changing it every 4-6 weeks with a filter change.  So now the problem is that two months ago I purchased two blue gouramis and then two dwarf gouramis (orange).  Maybe three later weeks one dwarf died and a week later another dwarf died then three weeks later a blue gourami died leaving one blue gourami that looks healthy.  I also have an algae eater which sometimes seems a little aggressive that I got with the first gouramis.  I feed flakes once/day.  The tank has a heater and the temp is around 72 degrees.  When changing the water I use tap water and add a water conditioner.  I change the filter every four weeks.

I want to buy more fish for the larger aquarium but don't want them to die, so I wonder if you can help with the dying fish problem.  Plus, when I change over to the larger aquarium, what would be the best way to do that since I am getting rid of the smaller one.  I was thinking I should use some of the water from the old tank so it won't be such a shock on the surviving fish.

Your help will be most appreciated!

ANSWER: Irene,
The perfect size tank for one Gourami is 20 gallons with 10 to 15 gallons for each additional Gourami. If you want 4 Gourami's, the minimum size tank is 50 gallons. A ten gallon tank is not big enough for one let alone 4. It is very important that you have a hospital tank set up and running at all time, to put sick fish in when they need to be treated and to put new fish in for at least 2 weeks before adding them to the main tank and  This help assure the fish are healthy before you add them to the established aquarium. All tank have to be cycled before any fish is added and this can take 6 weeks, sometimes longer. When you set up the 29 gallon, make sure you cycle the tank first. If you need info on cycling let me know. Every week you need to do a 25% water change making sure the water going in is the same temperature as the water in the tank. Use a gravel vacuum so that you can remove waste as you do the water change. When changing out the filter media, let it float around in the tank for about 5 to 7 days before adding it to the filter. This will help the new filter get the good bacteria needed to keep fish happy and healthy. You can try turning the heater up. They like between 72 and 82 degrees, and they might like it warmer than 72. Make sure you are testing the water weekly with a liquid water tester to check for ammonia and nitrites. Both if them have to be at zero at all times. If you register any amount, then you will have to do a water change according to the amount of ammonia and nitrite in the water, but make sure you never change more than 50% of the water at any one time.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your response.  I was wrong about the temperature, it was/is at 78 degrees and I try to be careful with adding water that is the same temp when changing it out.  The remaining gourami continues to look healthy.  The thing about the new tank (which is on it's own stand) is that I wanted to put it in the same location as the old one but not sure how to do that because of the weight of the water especially if I need to cycle the tank for weeks before putting fish in it.  Please give me ideas on what the best way to do that would be?  And, please let me know what other, if any. fish I can put in the new tank. Oh, and how much should I feed the fish?  Evidently the advice I've received from the fish keepers at petco and petsmart has not been good.
Again, thanks so much!

Answer
Irene,
The best way to move the tanks, is during a water change. Since your original tank is only 10 gallons, it won't be too hard to move it. The best way is to remove no more than 50% of the water. Once half the water is gone, move the tank by grabbing it from the bottom. This is help prevent the tank from cracking or breaking. Once the small tank has been moved, then you can place the larger tank and then fill it with everything you are going to put in it. That is how I move my tanks. As for tank mates, it really depends on the fish. You can add some tetras but try to stay away from the black skirt tetra because they have a tendency to by nippers. Remember that tetras are schooling fish, so the minimum amount would be 6 of them. A group of 6 cory cats would also be good since they are more bottom dwellers. Add fish is not a guarantee that they will all get along. Each fish, like humans, have their own personalities. You will just have to watch them to make sure there is no bullying going on. Also, remember, that the Gourami is a Labyrinth fish so should not be kept with other Labyrinth fish.