If you’re like me, you love spending time with your Honey Gourami. They’re beautiful fish that add a lot of personality to any tank. But what do you do when one of them suddenly turns black? Don’t worry, there are plenty of solutions
In this blog post, I’ll outline six potential reasons why your Honey Gourami is turning black and what you can do about it. Keep reading to learn more.
Reasons Why Honey Gourami Turn Its Color To Black?
The honey gourami is a tropical fish that is known for its bright colors. However, it is not unusual for them to turn black in color. There are several reasons why this may happen, but the most common one is black spot disease.
Reason 1: Your Honey Gourami Is Stressed
One of the most common reasons why fish turn black is because they’re stressed. There are a number of things that can cause stress in fish, including:
- sudden changes in water temperature
- poor water quality
- lack of hiding places
- too much light
- overcrowding
If your honey gourami is turning black, it’s important to take a look at the environment they’re in and see if there are any changes that could be causing stress. If you think the water quality might be an issue, you can test it yourself or take a sample to your local pet store for testing.
Reason 2: Your Honey Gourami Is Sick
Another reason why your honey gourami might be turning black is because they’re sick. There are a number of diseases that can cause fish to turn black, including:
Black Spot Disease:
This is a parasitic infection that causes black spots on the skin of the fish. It’s most common in freshwater fish but can also affect saltwater fish.
If your honey gourami has black spots on their skin, it’s important to take them to the vet for treatment.
Reason 3: Your Honey Gourami Is Dying
In some cases, the reason why your honey gourami is turning black is because they’re dying. This is most often due to old age or a terminal illness. If your fish is turning black and you can’t find any other explanation, they’re likely nearing the end of their life.
Reason 4: Your Honey Gourami Is Molting
Another reason why your honey gourami might be turning black is because they’re molting. This is a process where fish shed their old skin to make room for new growth. It’s normal for fish to molt a few times a year, but it can be more frequent if they’re stressed or sick.
Reason 5: Your Honey Gourami Is Pregnant
If your female honey gourami is turning black, it could be because she’s pregnant. This is often accompanied by other changes in her body, such as a swollen belly.
Reason 6: Your Honey Gourami Is experiencing Melanin Increase
Lastly, your honey gourami might be turning black due to an increase in melanin production. Melanin is a dark pigment that gives color to the skin and eyes. It’s normal for fish to produce more melanin when they’re stressed or sick.
How to Treat a Honey Gourami Turning Black?
If your honey gourami is turning black, the first thing you need to do is figure out why. Once you’ve determined the cause, you can start treating them accordingly.
If your fish is stressed, the best thing you can do is try to reduce their stressors. This might mean changing the water temperature, improving the water quality, or adding more hiding places to their tank.
If your fish is sick, you’ll need to take them to the vet for treatment. They may prescribe medication or recommend a change in diet.
If your fish is dying, there’s unfortunately not much you can do. You can try to make them comfortable in their final days, but ultimately you’ll need to accept that they’re going to die.
If your fish is molting, there’s not much you can do except wait for them to finish the process. Molting can be stressful for fish, so you may want to consider reducing their stressors during this time.
If your fish is pregnant, you’ll need to take extra care of them during this time. This includes making sure they have a good diet and plenty of space to swim. You may also want to set up a separate tank for them to give birth in.
If your fish is experiencing an increase in melanin production, there’s not much you can do except provide them with good care. This includes a well- balanced diet and clean water. You may also want to consider adding some plants to their tank, as they can help to reduce stress levels.
Can I Prevent My Honey Gourami from Turning Black?
In some cases, you may be able to prevent your honey gourami from turning black. This includes taking steps to reduce stress and providing them with good care.
If you’re concerned about the water quality in your tank, you can test it yourself or take a sample to your local pet store. They can help you determine what’s causing the problem and how to fix it.
You can also take steps to reduce stress in your fish. This might mean adding more hiding places to their tank or changing the water temperature. If you’re not sure what’s causing your fish to be stressed, you can ask your vet for advice.
Finally, you can provide your fish with good care to prevent them from getting sick. This includes feeding them a well- balanced diet and keeping their tank clean. You should also take them to the vet for regular check-ups.
Can My Honey Gourami Come Back from Being Black?
If your honey gourami is turning black, it’s important to figure out the cause. In some cases, such as stress or pregnancy, the black coloration is temporary and your fish will eventually return to their normal color.
However, in other cases, such as old age or disease, the black coloration is permanent and your fish will not be able to return to their normal color. In these cases, you can take steps to make them comfortable and provide them with good care, but ultimately you will need to accept that they are going to die.
Conclusion
If your honey gourami is turning black, it’s important to figure out the cause. In some cases, such as stress or pregnancy, the black coloration is temporary and your fish will eventually return to their normal color.
However, in other cases, such as old age or disease, the black coloration is permanent and your fish will not be able to return to their normal color. In these cases, you can take steps to make them comfortable and provide them with good care, but ultimately you will need to accept that they are going to die.
References
- http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=115491
- https://fishkeepingadvice.com/honey-gourami-care/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iridovirus_dwarf_gourami_disease
- https://www.aquariumsource.com/honey-gourami/
- https://animals.mom.com/happens-goldfish-gets-big-black-dots-him-8915.html
- https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/honey-gourami/
- https://www.hartz.com/stress-in-fish-symptoms-and-solutions/
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/tuberculosis-in-aquarium-fish-4844011
- https://www.aqueon.com/resources/care-guides/gouramis
- https://theaquariumguide.com/articles/honey-gourami
- https://www.plantedtank.net/threads/honey-gourami-owners-please-help.1012033/
- https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/honey-gourami