gourami disease

Question
20gal The aquarium is used for new fish. I do aquarium maintenance. I have a 70 hagen filter. I usually keep from 10 -20 fish at a time. the ph is neutral. After a few days, sometimes the fish start to sway back and forth. What is the best medication for the gourami disease? I have used metronidazole 250mg and it dosen't work all the time. I get the fish from the wholesale distributor.

Answer
Hi Gary;

If your fish have what has been called "gourami disease" there are said to be several possible causes and it is often not curable I'm afraid. Parasites, bacterial infection, protozoans, and there are even several types of each of those pathogens that could be responsible. Some experts say it could even be a virus. It is nearly impossible to cure, whatever it is. The best chance the fish have is to keep the water quality very good and don't overcrowd the tank. It reduces stress and therefore reduces the incidence of all disease.

However, it may not be an infection at all, but could be waste toxins. Check the levels of ammonia and nitrite. When new fish are added to a tank, even an established one, those toxins often rise as the beneficial bacteria tries to compensate for the new bio-load. Those toxins can cause the behavior you described and can also cause the fish to succumb to a disease that causes it. Make partial water changes (25%) to reduce them, daily if needed, according to the toxin levels.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins