blue gourami

[irondale]

I have a one year old Blue Gourami. It seems fine, but I've noticed that it's rather fat just behind the gills, like a bulge. Don't know if I'm feeding it too much or if it has a tumor or something. It's also very skittish - always has been. As soon as I approach the aquarium, no matter how carefully, it runs and hides. Any similar experiences or advice from the readers? Thanks.

[mitcore]

howdy
my big blue is the same he hides behind a rock most of the day well til feeding time then he comes out and eats then back he goes

i would say he is just fat from over eating i find it hard to feed the right amount to my bigger fish, i wouldnt worry it seems it might be the same for all big blues

[~Erik3.8.07~]

my blue gourami doesnt run and hide but it is fat right behind the gills, mine is a female so im not sure if its stored eggs or just fat. My pearl gourami is skiddish like that though

[spudbuds]

The bulge may be a sign of a swim bladder problem. I'd try feeding some peas and see if it goes away.

[Squidman]

My blue gourami has always been skittish. Maybe blue gouramis in general are skittish.

[lasm]

I've had that problem before. I had one old blue gourami, female, she was fat. She died of no apparent reason.

Then with my new blue gourami, the same was happening. I though she was going to die as well, but since I varied the general diet in my aquarium the fat went away.

My two blue gouramis are generally shy. They hide when I approach the tank but eventually show themselves curiously to see if I'm going to feed them.

[irondale]

Thanks. How does one feed peas in the aquarium?

[tropfish]

take either canned peas or fresh boiled peas and mash them up (make sure to take off the little shells so the fish can eat them) and feed a little bit. try not to overfeed because they can pollute the tank very quickly if overfed.

[Floersheimer12]

Hi Squidman,

I don't know what's going on with my Gourami, it started developing a large blackish-brown growth near the tail area, and I hope it's nothing serious. At first I thought it was some sort of egg sack because I have two gouramis (although I'm not sure if the other is a female). Please help! I don't think it has anything to do with the fish being fat or overfed....but i could be wrong.

thanks.

[lasm]

do you have pics?

[rnj79]

My male blue gourami started showing signs of illness yesterday. He has a huge area on his top side. His fins look frayed and he has a reddish brown area under his gills by his bottom fin. This morning, the area on his head was covered with a fungus looking coating. It's white and fuzzy in appearence. We did a 25% water change over the weekend and cleaned the tank really well, now he is sick. What is wrong with my fishy?

[shockshockshad]

White fuzz is fungus. You should get anti-fungus medicine, and put him in your hospital tank.