Pregnant Pearl Gourami?

[woodcocs]

Here's some pictures of our pearl gourami. She is huge - not sure if full of eggs or constipated. She's been like that fpr 2 or 3 weeks I guess.

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We did move the pair to a dedicated tank to see if they would build a nest etc, but nothing happened after a week so we moved them back to the community tank.

Any views on whether pregant or constipated? If pregnant, can she stay full of eggs, or will she expell them, or does she need a male to massage them out etc?

[VoidParadigm]

Try feeding her boiled peas.
That is quite the huge size, for any problem it could be.
I've personally never seen anything close to that size that wasn't a tumor. Feed her the peas, and get back to us, please.

[woodcocs]

Tried the peas, but she's not really eating at the moment. We added a teaspoon of epsom salts to her 3 gallon tank and left overnight, but no change. So this evening I added another teaspoon and will see if there's a change by tomorrow.
I guess at the moment it is looking like a tumour. Are tumours comon in gouramis?

[VoidParadigm]

This is actually the first time I've seen something tumor-like in a Gourami. Doesn't nessicarily mean it's not common.
A bigger problem for Gouramis is usually the risk of Iridovirus, from my research.

Keep trying to treat her for different things for a couple days to see if it goes down, but if it won't within a week (or if she still won't eat within a week) I'd recommend euthanizing her. I don't know of treatments for tumors besides cutting them out, and due to how large hers looks if she has one, I don't think that'd be an option. Especially in a home aquarium. :scry:

[Taurus]

I've never seen a gourami blown out that big before. That can't be good and I agree with the suggestion to prepare to euthanize.

[woodcocs]

The gourami didn't improve with continued peas or more epsom salts so my dad decided to euthanise her.

Thanks for your advice.

[VoidParadigm]

Sorry to hear that. :scry:

On the bright side, you did what was best for her, considering her advanced position - saving her from a more painful death.

[DLewis]

Ugh, I came across this thread using the search function and I pretty much have the same thing going on with my Platinum Gourami. How do you best euthanize a little fishy? Kinda sucks because I really like that little fish!

[KatzeSlaugen]

what i do is get some really cold water (cold enough a thin layer of ice forms on top) break the ice and drop the little fella in. if you want more results it would be best to start a new thread in the "beginner freshwater" section