The dwarf gourami is getting more and more attention within the fish keeping communities as people realize just how great this fish is.
More and more people have been adding a dwarf gourami or two to their tanks in recent months resulting in a slight increase in the number of questions that we see from the community relating to caring for a pet dwarf gourami.
Due to there being so many potential problems with various species of fish, we have been seeing a large number of peolpe reaching out with a full range of different questions.
One question that has been asked with increased frequency than normal is based around why your dwarf gourami is bloated as well as how you can go about fixing the problem.
Due to this, we have decided to publish this article to try and help as many of our readers as possible treat their own dwarf gourami that is having problems with bloat.
Is It Normal For A Dwarf Gourami To Be Bloated?
The first thing that we need to do is answer the key question, is it normal or healthy for a dwarf gourami to be bloated?
To put it simply, the answer is no.
A healthy dwarf gourami should not be bloated in any way, shape or form and if yours is then this is definitely something that you need to take a close look at.
What Causes Bloat In A Dwarf Gourami?
The four main causes of bloating in a dwarf gourami is dropsy, pregnancy, constipation, and swim bladder disease. Pregnancy is totally natural, but if left untreat, the other three common causes of bloat can end up being fatal to your dwarf gourami.
If dropsy is the cause of the bloat in your dwarf gourami then it is unlikley that your fish will last more than a couple of days. Although you can technically treat dropsy in a dwarf gourami, it is very time sensative and you usually have to start treatment instantly.
There are a couple of very niche, rare issues that can cause your dwarf gourami to bloat outside of the main four but they are so rare that it is usually a waste of time checking for them.
Due to this, we will be focusing on the main four causes and taking a more detailed look at them now.
Dropsy
Dropsy is a disease that affects fish of all shapes and sizes and can quickly kill your dwarf gourami if it is not treated correctly and in a timely manner.
The main symptom of dropsy is bloating but it can also cause your fish to have raised scales as well as lethargy and a loss of appetite.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dwarf gourami then you need to take action quickly as, like we have already said, if it is left untreated then dropsy will almost certainly kill your fish.
The main cause of dropsy is an infection that gets into the fish through a cut or sore on the body. The infection then attacks the fish from the inside out and causes bloating as well as a number of other problems.
In some cases, the infection can be caused by bacteria but it can also be caused by a virus or even a parasite.
The best way to treat dropsy is with antibiotics but you need to be very careful when using them as they can easily kill your fish if they are not used correctly.
You should always speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper before using any antibiotics as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is by far the most common cause of bloating in a female dwarf gourami and is something that you will almost certainly have to deal with if you keep more than one gourami in your tank.
A female dwarf gourami can become pregnant even if she has never been near a male and the process is known as parthenogenesis but it is very rare.
The bloating that is caused by pregnancy is usually not harmful to the fish but it can make her very sluggish and lethargic.
The best thing that you can do if you think that your dwarf gourami is pregnant is to leave her be and let nature take its course.
If you try to intervene then there is a good chance that you will end up harming the fish or the fry so it is best to just let things happen naturally.
Once the fry have been born, you can then start to think about separating them from their mother if you want to but this is not always necessary.
Constipation
Constipation is a very common problem in fish and can easily lead to bloating if it is not treated quickly.
The main symptom of constipation is bloating but you may also notice that your fish is having difficulty swimming, is lethargic, and has a loss of appetite.
Constipation is usually caused by a diet that is too high in protein or not high enough in fibre. It can also be caused by a lack of water movement in the tank or even stress.
The best way to treat constipation is to fast your fish for a couple of days and then offer them a diet that is high in fibre. You can also try adding some live plants to the tank as they will help to improve the water quality and make it easier for your fish to digest their food.
If you are struggling to treat constipation then you may need to speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper as they will be able to offer you more advice.
Intestinal Parasites
Intestinal parasites are a very common problem in fish and can easily lead to bloating if they are not treated quickly.
The main symptom of intestinal parasites is bloating but you may also notice that your fish is scratching itself a lot, has a loss of appetite, and is lethargic.
Intestinal parasites are usually caused by a diet that is not varied enough or by contaminated water.
The best way to treat intestinal parasites is with medication but you should always speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper before using any medication as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
In conclusion, bloating in a dwarf gourami can be caused by a number of different things but the most common causes are disease, pregnancy, constipation, and intestinal parasites. If you notice that your fish is bloated then you should take action quickly as it can easily lead to death if it is not treated.
Remember to always speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper before using any medication as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Swim Bladder Disease
Swim bladder disease is a very common problem in fish and can easily lead to bloating if it is not treated quickly.
The main symptom of swim bladder disease is bloating but you may also notice that your fish is having difficulty swimming, is lethargic, and has a loss of appetite.
Swim bladder disease is usually caused by a diet that is not varied enough or by contaminated water.
The best way to treat swim bladder disease is with medication but you should always speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper before using any medication as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Conclusion
In conclusion, bloating in a dwarf gourami can be caused by a number of different things but the most common causes are disease, pregnancy, constipation, and intestinal parasites. If you notice that your fish is bloated then you should take action quickly as it can easily lead to death if it is not treated.
Remember to always speak to a vet or an experienced fish keeper before using any medication as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action.
