Why is my Dwarf Gourami swimming up and down in the corner and getting shaky and running into stuff?

Question

I just bought it the other day and it just started acting all wierd last night.

I have a Dalmation Molly which seems to be fine swimming like crazy and a Silver Molly who swims all over the place as well and seems to be fine. This is a new setup I cycled the tank for a week then introduced the new fish Friday the 8th

I have a dalmation molly and silver molly in the tank with it. Its a new tank I cycled it for a week then introduced the fish this past Friday. Water is at 78.5 degrees I have tested the water and everything is within limits. The other two fish seem to be doin great

Answer 1

I am glad you noted the water is within parameters, especially with a new aquarium, but please keep checking regularly and if the ammonia in particular gets high, do partial water changes, consider a bio media swap with an established aquarium and use an ammonia de-toxifier such as Prime.

Now here are other considerations that can and will make fish behave this way:

[1] High ammonia or nitrites
[2] Un-grounded lights or other electrical devices attached to your aquarium
[3] Freshwater velvet, which is similar to Itch, but resides mostly in the gills (Quick Cure, Medicated Wonder Shells are just a couple of treatment for this)
[4] Sometimes ich, but you probably would have seen the white spots by now, so this is not likely.
[5] Other parameters that affect osmotic balance and electrolytes, such aquarium Redox (lack of any electrolytes and more), too low pH (below 6.0).

This can be a rather broad subject, a lot more information and links can be found here:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Information.html

And for a knowledgeable aquatic forum:
http://groups.msn.com/EverythingAquatic/

Answer 2

swimming up and down in a corner definitely signals stress. Now you say you cycled your tank for a week. Hopefully you put a little food in the water, a small fish and some cycle. Alot of people think that cycling a tank is just letting it run for a week with water and or no cycle(liquid bacteria in the millions). The thing is that if you have just water all that happens is the chlorine dissipates in 24 hrs and THATS IT. If you put cycle in with no fish or food, the bacteria will die as they have nothing to survive on. Bacteria need to feed, so either way to cycle an aquarium, food or a little fish to produce waste is needed to start the biological cycle. Sorry had to say that first.
If the tank was not cycled properly, the gourami will be the first to succumb to bad water quality. I would do a water change, check pH. Fish in a natural habitat have hiding places(to feel secure) If you dont have enough plants/ornaments hes maybe freaked out. Sometimes a black background gives them the security they need. Watch the fish,do your others pick on him? good luck

Answer 3

I gave my fish this stuff that I got to cure that, its called Molly Bright. When the fish swim all around like that it means they are under stress. Try to find this at your pet store. Its in a small bottle, its blue and its made by Jungle. It helped mine stop doing that.

Answer 4

he's just freaked out in the new environment...
Which dwarf gourami? sunset? or the blue dwarf?
they're actually quite shy and freaks out easily.

you have to give lots of plants (fake or real) and hiding places

Answer 5

It sounds sick, maybe the water is too cold.
What does the thermometer read?

Answer 6

Do you own any other fish??? please more details but this forum will be able to help