Why do all my Dwarf Gouramis stay at the bottom?

Question

I have now had 2 Dwarf Gouramis (first one died of old age, second one died for an unknown reason) both of which were housed in a 5 gallon tank along with 2 Guppies and an African Dwarf Frog, I have recently bought a new 14 gallon tank and was thinking of adding a Dwarf Gourami as a centerpiece fish, but my past 2 Gouramis just stayed at the bottom of the tank in a corner and I could barely see them, and only came to the top for air (they even waited for food to sink to the bottom) I have always known Gouramis to be top-dwellers, and that they would stay in view? I bought both from Petco, whom don't really take care of there fish.... could that be why they stayed at the bottom? Could it have been something I did? Is it just the Gouramis that I bought? I really don't want to make the same mistake again and buy another one just so it can take up space and stay out of view 24/7......

Answer 1

Thats the same as my ones...

Answer 2

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your fish

If he died of old age he should have been in your tank for longer than one year. You need to keep in mind that these fish were bred for colour and body shape, not for their health and hardiness, so they tend to be extremely intolerant of your waste products. If you intend on keeping another one Id recommend buying a nitrate and ammonia test kits (Liquid test kits, not strips or the like) and test your water fortnightly to make sure the levels arent rising too high. Also remember to keep up with your regular water changes.

It could also have been the fact that you brought him from Petco. Theyre often not quarantined long enough and can be a bit too stressed from the get go. Look to see if their colours are dampened, their having difficulty breathing, have clamped fins etc.

Best of luck for your next one.  

Answer 3

You are correct that bettas /gouramis don't strive at the bottom ,unless they are sick or have a problem with their labyringht(it is how they breath air from the surface). If it is a labyringtht problem they might live for a while-but they eventually die off,it is as if though they are suffocating slowly ,they might eat and gasp for air....

Also do not have dwarf gouramies near windows or near air conditioners since cold air will mess up with their labyringht. They come from warm moist enviroments...

if you see that they are moving their gills fast and at the bottom but see no signs of disease, it could also be stress that they have suffered.

Dwarf gouramies are hardy,but are more delicate than other fish I have had. They seem longer to get back on their feet and when i change a large amount of water  they don't like it.

The dwarf gouramies I have bought from pet stores  always get treated for fungus when i bring them home, and they love it since they are sensitive to fungal attacks.

At petstores whrere they use a centralized water filter other tanks are sharing the same contaminated water if other diseases are present.........  As always buy the healthiest fish you can find.

Answer 4

It was probably b/c you had 2 males in a 5 gallon! That is the bare minimum for 1 male, plus unless they are in a big tank, they will fight. They where probably fighting with each other and injured thats why they stayed at the bottom. 1 male dwarf gourami along with other fish in a 14 gallon would do very well.