Sick Gourami

Question
I rescued a pair of opalene gouramis about a year ago. Over the past few months their health has deteriorated. It began with one constantly picking at the other creating a dime sized wound on it's side. These fish are about 31/2 inches long. I was treating the tank with salt and melafix for the injury. I do not have the ability to seperate the fish. I also added stress coat after the initial injury. This treatment seemed to help for a little while. the area remained red, but was healing. When I received the fish I was advised by the previous owner to use distilled water. Although this maintained a somewhat acidic tank (around 6.0) the fish seemed to tolerate it.I do a 50% change monthly with a gravel vacumn, as these fish make the tank quite dirty. One of the fish would periodically ram itself into the sides of the tank until it was stunned and then recover. About 3 weeks ago the wounded fish broke with Ick. I began a treatment by removing the charcoal, cleaning the tank and using a formulin, malachite green combination (quickcure) and raising the water temp to 82. I continued the melafix and salt treatments as well.The ick seems to slowly be resolving. During the treatment the aggressive fish rammed itself into the tank so violently that it became stunned, sank and drowned. We found him floating. During this time I was advised to switch to using tapwater that has sat out over night. Although this water is more basic(around 7.6) I did a 50% change and added the tap. the water has been getting very cloudy during the treatment. I am trying to change it every 5-7days. Today I noticed the ick looks better, although still present, but his right eye is swollen (popeye?). He is not eating and very lethargic. I dont know if the ph difference can cause this. i need to do another water change but am nervous that it will make things worse. I am moving in three weeks and am concerned that if he is not better before the move he will not survive. I do not know what else to do. He has made it through a cross country move, two owners, attacks from his now deceased tankmate and various illness. I do not want to give up on him as he is a fighter. Any ideas? I appreciate your time and assistance!!


Answer
Hi Janice,
Sorry to hear that.

Your little gouramis have gone through a lot.

Definitely just use tap water for your tap. And -be sure- to use water conditioner every-time you do a water change. There's no need to let it sit out overnight if you have a good water conditioner to use. Make sure the temp is equal to your tank or just a little bit warmer.

The ick could for sure kill the poor fish. You'll need to have a medication in the tank for a minimum of 12 days straight to be sure and kill the ick off completely as its very sneaky. With daily water changes, warm temp, and re-dosing the medication after every water change the fish has a good chance of getting better.


*Melafix won't really help ick. Salt is good for a side-treatment. But you need a actual ick medication like Quick cure.*

The water changes are vital for helping remove excess pollutants and excess ick parasites that will only stress the fish even more than what he already is.

That's the best I can recommend now. Daily 50% Water changes, medication treatment, and hope for the best.

Keep in mind he may have been through too much and even with the best treatment, too much damage may already have been done. But keep trying.

I hope this helps!
Karen~