Blue Gourami-help me figure out what's going on (pics)

[lmw80]

Hello...I have a female blue gourami. Can't tell if she is carrying eggs or bloated. How do I know?
The male has not built a bubble nest, but there is a current in my water, so I just turned off my aerator to see if he builds anything. He is still a juvenile...but getting close to adulthood - so I don't even know if he can breed.

I have epsom salts...if I do treat for constipation, what's the dosage and how often? Thank you guys so much!

P.S. Please excuse my algae!

 

[QTOFFER]

I honestly don't know enough about gouramis to tell from the pics. Did you try feeding her a piece of partially cooked, crushed pea? I would try that before epsom salts even if it turns out to be constipation.

BTW, I know you're letting the algae grow for the benefit of your albino ancistrus!

 

[krap101]

maybe dropsy?

 

[Toirtis]

maybe dropsy?

Maybe, but I do not think so....she does look gravid...how big is she?

 

[An t-iasg]

I don't know anything about gouramis either, but I don't think she has the dropsy, pineconed look. The swollen area doesn't look the same as my one poor betta did when he had dropsy. She could be carrying eggs! I guess this is her first time for eggs? Has the male built a bubble nest before? From reading other breeding posts here, sometimes it takes a few tries before the parents get it right! Good luck!

 

[lmw80]

Well I put the Epsom salt in last night...had no peas in the house. This morning she is still the same size.

Do gouramis eat when they are carying eggs? She didn't eat last night.

 

[lmw80]

Added salt last night - no change. I did a 30% water change after I got home from work and I added some more salt as well. I also cut the top off of a plastic cup, tied thread to it and taped the thread to the outide of my tank to make a nest-building space for the male, which he has discovered, but has not started building anything.

I will keep you guys updated.

 

[fearlessfisch]

i just had this problem with a powder blue gourami....unfortunately, the salts didn't work for him. i followed this recipe as given by allivymar in a previous post. it uses temporary epsom salt baths instead of adding salts directly to the tank.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=16114&highlight=epsom


i hope your little guy does better than mine did. good luck.

 

[lmw80]

thanks so much!!