Calling all Fishperts

[Ironhead]

I need some help from you Fishperts....I have a Gourami that has a illness/sore that I cant get to go away and was wondering if anyone here could help me out. This Gourami has had this spot for about 3 months...it is slowly getting bigger. Everything I have tried has failed, so far no medications have improved this fish at all. No other Gourami or other fish has this.

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Any help would be appreciated.

[fishmommy]

That's Flexibacter/Columnaris. It's a gram-negative bacterial infection. The 'saddle' lesion is the dead giveaway.

It's very common, and must be treated with a medicine that is for gram-negative infections.

good luck! fish are difficult to treat so if you've tried the appropriate meds and they didn't work you may have to try it again in a small quarantine tank that is completely clean and free of decor and substrate. Cooler temps will slow it down as well.
It's a common disease to see in springtime when temps warm up a bit.

[Ironhead]

That's Flexibacter/Columnaris. It's a gram-negative bacterial infection. The 'saddle' lesion is the dead giveaway.

It's very common, and must be treated with a medicine that is for gram-negative infections.

good luck!

Thank you very much....will get right on it!

[fishmommy]

I'm glad no other fish have it - it is quite contagious.
What happens is this bacteria is present pretty commonly in the water. Most fish resist it pretty well but if a fish has a compromised immune system it can take hold.
The fact that only one fish is sick tells me that you have really good husbandry and the fish are very healthy and unstressed in your care.

How old is your gourami? Old age, fighting, or some other factor could have caused him to be vulnerable. Sometimes you can't save a fish who has an underlying vulnerability.
I'm glad you're going to try though - there's a good chance it will work but if it does not just take comfort in the fact that it may have just been his time.

[Ironhead]

I'm glad no other fish have it - it is quite contagious.
What happens is this bacteria is present pretty commonly in the water. Most fish resist it pretty well but if a fish has a compromised immune system it can take hold.
The fact that only one fish is sick tells me that you have really good husbandry and the fish are very healthy and unstressed in your care.

How old is your gourami? Old age, fighting, or some other factor could have caused him to be vulnerable. Sometimes you can't save a fish who has an underlying vulnerability.
I'm glad you're going to try though - there's a good chance it will work but if it does not just take comfort in the fact that it may have just been his time.

I'm not positive on the age, but I would guess between 4 - 5 years. I bought a pair of these gourami's and they did use to fight pretty heavly...but haven't for quite some time and this one is the one that would always end up retreating. I will give him all the chance I can to survive, but looks like age may just have something to do with it..
Thanks again for the help.

[fishmommy]

no problem!

Fish are awesome
and tattoo'ed people are awesome too

best of luck!
it sounds like your gourami is getting up there in age - good job getting him to this point

[wilomn]

If you do treat the water be sure to remove any carbon from your filter. The carbon will take the medication right out of the water.

[fishmommy]

That's an excellent point that I forgot! *banghead*
Thanks