Sick kissing gourami?

[Shannsey]

I've had a kissing gourami for a few years now, and he never showed any real signs of illness. He ate well and was very active.

Just today, though, I came home and found him lying on his side on the gravel. I poked him a bit, he swam up, swam around at the top for a few moments, and then fell down. His swimming seems to be very labored.

Whenever I poke him and he swims up to the surface of the water, he releases some air bubbles, as if maybe he was having trouble breathing before. Whenever he's lying on the gravel he doesn't move until I poke him or make a lot of motion above him in the water.

The one thing I can think of that may be a problem is his back/spine. It's bent at maybe a 110º angle. I don't know what caused that to happen, but it's been like that for a while.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice, it's appreciated. :(

[Shannsey]

We added a heater to the tank to raise the temperature by a few degrees, and we also gave him an Epsom Salt water bath for ten minutes. He seems to be breathing more quickly and more easily, but he's still lying on the bottom of the tank as he was before.

I've had a kissing gourami for a few years now, and he never showed any real signs of illness. He ate well and was very active.

Just today, though, I came home and found him lying on his side on the gravel. I poked him a bit, he swam up, swam around at the top for a few moments, and then fell down. His swimming seems to be very labored.

Whenever I poke him and he swims up to the surface of the water, he releases some air bubbles, as if maybe he was having trouble breathing before. Whenever he's lying on the gravel he doesn't move until I poke him or make a lot of motion above him in the water.

The one thing I can think of that may be a problem is his back/spine. It's bent at maybe a 110º angle. I don't know what caused that to happen, but it's been like that for a while.

If anyone has any suggestions or advice, it's appreciated. :(