Blue gourami

Question
QUESTION: I have had this gourami for almost 3 years now. He is in a 30 gallon tank with a red blood parrot cichid, 4 black skirted tetras and a pink kissing gourami. Today i noticed he is swimming funny kind of swaying side to side and he seems to be coming up for air more. The tank was due for its weekly water change which I did but I haven't noticed any changes. he is eating ok

ANSWER: Hi Melissa,
 Hmmm... there could be a number of reasons, one of which is that he is getting old.  The other most likely reason is that the parrot cichlid has been bothering him. Is that a possibility?

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>


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

QUESTION: Not that I know of...the parrot cichlid is really good with the other fish in the tank. It is almost like he can't straighten his back, its very strange. However he is still swaying back and forth and still eating ok. Could it be a swim bladder problem?

Answer
Hi Melissa,
 It could be a swim bladder problem but that doesn't fit the symptoms.  The swim bladder really only aids in buoyancy. Unfortunately, a bent spine is often a sign of impending old age in a fish.

-- Ron
   rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>