Dwarf Gourami

[fishsafari]

I have a Dwarf Gourami that has been doing well and healthy up until recently.

He appears to be a little sunken around the head, but he does not look terrible. He still eats, has always been a hider, and does not otherwise act sick. I just know he is sick though.

I have read about Dwarf Gourami disease; he could well have this, but I don't know.

I've quarantined in my hospital tank. Should I try meds? Salt? What are your suggestions?

[VoidParadigm]

Iridovirus ("Dwarf Gourami Disease") usually shows first as abdominal swelling, and so far as I know does not have anything to do with the head.

I'm afraid I don't know what it could be, though.
Don't try anything until you find more information.
The quarantining is the best thing to do until then, which you've already done. =)

[cazelgetto]

can you give us a pic. and tell us the water parimeters plz

[redbullbill]

[QUOTE=VoidParadigm]Iridovirus ("Dwarf Gourami Disease") usually shows first as abdominal swelling, and so far as I know does not have anything to do with the head.

Does the abdominal swelling look like they swallowed a small marble?

[BrandonBCA]

What are you feeding him? Lower quality foods will often have negative impacts that are slow to show up, and "sunken around the head" makes me think it's some nutritional deficiency causing his body to self-cannibalize. If you're not already feeding a high quality food(Omega one, NLS, etc.) try changing his diet.

[VoidParadigm]

Does the abdominal swelling look like they swallowed a small marble?

Sometimes, but this is also a sign of constipation, so if it looks like that feed greenery, and regular food less frequently.

[redbullbill]

Sometimes, but this is also a sign of constipation, so if it looks like that feed greenery, and regular food less frequently.

I tried putting a small lettuce leaf in the tank a few times but none of the fish eat it.I only leave it in a few hours.
What would you suggest for greenery?

[VoidParadigm]

Lettuce isn't very nutritional anyways.
Personally I use spinach and pears, sometimes grapes, but every fish is different.
Microwaving it for 10 seconds can be helpful.

[redbullbill]

Lettuce isn't very nutritional anyways.
Personally I use spinach and pears, sometimes grapes, but every fish is different.
Microwaving it for 10 seconds can be helpful.

Ok thanks for your help..

[jaysee]

I have a Dwarf Gourami that has been doing well and healthy up until recently.

He appears to be a little sunken around the head, but he does not look terrible. He still eats, has always been a hider, and does not otherwise act sick. I just know he is sick though.

I have read about Dwarf Gourami disease; he could well have this, but I don't know.

I've quarantined in my hospital tank. Should I try meds? Salt? What are your suggestions?

I have had a very hard time keeping dwarf gouramis. They all start out strong and then after a few months things start to deteriorate. They start looking like they are disoriented, then stop exploring the tank and hang near the bottom, then they waste away.

There is no cure for DGD, so treatment is pointless. Besides, treating with meds is only good if you know what it is you are treating. Blindly medicating the tank is not a good idea IMO. Moving it to a quarantine tank is a good idea - keep up with water changes and monitor it's behavior. If it's not DGD, then you'll be ready to act once you know what it is. However, if there is no improvement then you have to ask yourself why you are keeping the fish alive.