Help with gourami (parasite?)

Question
HI,
I have recently set up a 30 gallon freshwater tank. i have several plants and a dwarf gourami (im starting sow) My dwarf gourami hasent eaten at all since i got him (a couple days) and now he has long (about the leangth of his whole body) white stringy poop attached to him. Is this a parasite attachedd to him or is it abnormal poop? it is coming out of the area immidedly infornt of his bottem (ventral)fin. is this normal? is he not eating because he is still getting ajusted? he is not very acytive, he kinda hovers in the same area.

Also, i added some wisteria clippings, and have buried the bases in the gravel. how long until the roots grow? i am timid of adding more fish incase the rummage and uproot them (its a hasselk getting them to stay buried)

Any help would be very appriceated

Thanks,
Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,
Your Gourami is constipated.  Constipation if left untreated will lead to Swim Bladder Disease, and then Dropsy.  Try feeding him a cooked frozen pea.  Remove the outer layer, and cut the pea into tiny pieces.  Do not feed him anything else for 24 hours.  He must clean out his system.  If he refuses to eat the pea, you will have to medicate.  Kanamycin, Tetracycline, or Furan 2 could help him.  Before using any medication, please check your water chemistry, as this too may be a reason why he is not eating.  Ammonia should be zero, Nitrites zero, and Nitrates should be low.  You can buy these small test kits at Walmart or your Pet Store, and they are always handy to have.  Ammonia is the number one killer of fish.  A tank must have enough time to cycle, and I am wondering if you have let it cycle long enough.  The best way to cycle a new tank, is to buy a used sponge.  Do not rinse the sponge, squeeze out the access water, and put it directly into your filter.  A used sponge is full of good bacteria, and helps cycle a tank.  Once the tank has the right chemistry, do 25% water changes every week.  Check your water periodically to make sure you have no ammonia, or nitrites in it.  Later, when cleaning your filter, always rinse your sponge in water that you have removed from the tank, and never under the tap.  This way you will be sure you are not killing the good bacteria in your sponge.
Do not add medication if your water chemistry is not perfect, as this would do more harm than good.
Once your water chemistry is right, never add too many fish at once, as this would cause your chemistry to change, killing off all your fish.  This is a common mistake that many people do.  Add one or two fish, depending on the size of the fish, wait one week, check your water, and if it is right, add another one, wait another week, check again, and so on.  It is better to be safe, than sorry.  Be careful not to overstock your tank.  Overstocking will bring stress to fish, and disease.
I am not a plant expert, so cannot help you concerning plants.  We do have a plant expert on the team who would be able to guide you.
I hope this helps, and that you will save your little gourami.
Lynda