Is my Gourami okay?

deedeem15

So, yesterday I noticed that my Gourami had a large chunk taken out of hi side. However, I'm not completely sure if it is from being bitten by another fish or if it's a medical problem. And even if it is a bite, I'm concerned it might be infected with something. It has a white bit to it and I'm not sure if its just dead skin or an actually parasite. I don't think the pictures capture it very well, but I am very worried and I wanted to hear any advice or insight I could get. Thank you!

Attached Images

	20121024_224216.jpg (70.5 KB, 70 views)
	20121024_224211.jpg (81.4 KB, 67 views)
	20121024_223950.jpg (57.6 KB, 67 views)

djembekah

can you answer some questions, like tank size, tank mates, params, etc? could he have been bitten?

deedeem15

Of course: It's a 55 gallon freshwater planted tank, I have balloon mollies, Bolivian rams, cherry barbs, mickey mouse platys, 1 female betta. It might be a bite, but up until now I've never really noticed any troublesome aggression in the tank at all and the most recent addition was the platys a little over a month ago. Nitrate: 20, Nitrite: 0, Hardness:300(very hard), alkalinity: 180, pH: 8.4

fish monger

It definitely looks like some sort of gouge to me. Might have been caused by running into something sharp. Others know better, but I'd look into treating with a relatively safe broad spectrum medication.

1077

Appear's to me to be bacterial infection or Iridovirus that many of these fish are prone to.
If it is bacterial, then Maracyn and maracyn II together, might bring relief.
If it is Iridovirus, (google iridovirus among Dwarf Gourami) then there is little you can do and fish will steadily decline.
The water might also be contributing to problem. These fish prefer soft water as opposed to hard alkaline water.
If Gourami interested me, i would set up 20 gal tank and mix 50/50 tapwater R/O water, or rainwater to create more comfortable conditon's = less stress for the fish.

Byron

I would follow 1077's suggestions. I've no experience with this, but it looks nasty, and I would want to isolate that fish fast, more to avoid having this spread to other fish.

Sylverclaws

If this happened over night, chances are it isn't from a parasite or anything, but it's possible I suppose. It looks like he ran into something sharp or got a nasty bite from someone. Normally bites take off the top chunk, even make a long rip over leaving a round hole like that though. It may even be some sort of cyst that blew(not all cysts show up as a bump if they're deep, and when they blow they can leave a nasty crater), it's deep, round and looks a bit yucky, so a cyst or running into a sharp object is my best guess for an over-night ouch like this.

I also agree you should get a bit of medication for him, something safe for him and all your fish that is a good antibacterial. You may even want to get something to kick fungus around too, with a nasty like that it's better to be careful. Make sure your water stays nice and clean too. =) You may actually want to move him to a QT tank to treat him if the meds that would be good for him aren't good for your other fish.

deedeem15

My gourami is completely healed. I just did a half dose of parasite clear and some aquarium salt, and he was doing better by the next day. And he was completely better by the end of the week. Thank you for everyone's help and advice!

Sylverclaws

Glad to hear it! Wow, I didn't read the date on this thread before I replied to it, sorry about being late. lol

Lillianfish

surprised no one mentioned this, but bettas and gouramis are never ever supposed to be housed together