sick gourami?

Question
Hi Chris.  I have a Gourami that is about 3 years old. Lately he has been laying a bit sideways at the bottom of the tank. He doesn't do this continuosly, but its something new. He still eats and he swims up to the top for air but most of his day is spent resting on the bottom. He looks normal otherwise. He is in the tank with a kissing gourami and one other fish. Just last week, I lost an angel fish. My tank is a 10 gallon. I change the water every 3-4 weeks. I usually change about 30-40% of it and I use spring water to which I add something to make it aquarium compatible. (I cant remember the name of it)  I've had the tank for 3 years and all the fish have done well during that time up until one week ago.  I have cleaned the filter but it may be in need of replacement soon.  The other fish are doing fine.  I really dont check the ph, ammonia, nitrite levels. I am pretty much a beginner with aquariums but for the last 3 years everything has been fine so I didn't worry about checking the different levels. Please let me know what might be causing my fish to act this way. Thanks!  Cindy

Answer
Hi Cindy;

Poor guy. It sounds like his swim bladder has failed. There are many causes for this such as old age, injury, shock, infection, stress, constipation, etc. Most fish do not regain the use of their swim bladder but they can live a very long time in spite of their disability. We usually start with feeding veggies to help digestion. Cooked and peeled green peas, cooked green beans and romaine lettuce are good ones. Rinse and drop in the tank. Feed no other foods for 3 or 4 days. The other fish usually like it too. If a fish gets constipated it can put pressure on the swim bladder and/or cause it to become inflamed. Helping the constipation can sometimes cure the problem. If it doesn't work, try an antibiotic. It has to be a type that absorbs inside the fish. There are two I know of that do that. Kanamycin and a brand name one called "Maracyn Two".  

There is another problem looming as well. The tank is just too small. I'm so sorry you've been misinformed about your fish and the tank size they need. They've been very lucky to have survived for 3 years actually. Angels get to be 6 inches long with very tall fins and need a tank no smaller than 20 gallons in order to thrive. Dwarf gouramis are okay in a 10 gallon but the larger varieties need much more space. For instance, kissing gouramis get to be almost a foot long when provided with a large tank and a good diet. Yours have probably been stunted from lack of space and since they can't grow, they die of "old age" prematurely. Here is a list of profiles on gouramis to see what their needs are. Click on the photos for more info on each;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/profiles/list.aspx?term=gourami

Here is one about angels;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/539.htm

Fishes' lifespans are considerably shortened if not given enough space and clean water often enough. They need 25% changes weekly. Large changes more than 25% are just not safe and can cause pretty serious stress in the fish. I hope the survivors will be okay. You might consider shopping for a new larger tank for them. I hope your sick one feels better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins