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Its not. There is no "pine-coning" of the scales. I have had two opaline and two gold gouramis die of this strange condition. I have them well over a month and they start getting a slight roundness to them. Then in about a weeks time or so, they look as if they have swallowed a marble and are completely round in the middle. They live for about a week or less like that and then die. I am very confused that this is happening to only my gold and my opaline. I have bought them all at different times, I add salt each time I change the water, add bacteria every week, test each week (with good results, consistent) and this strange illness like I said has not affected any of my pearl gouramis. I am wondering if it is a defect in the Trichogaster trichopterus genus. However, I am wondering how different the Trichogaster leerii really are? If anyone has any information or ideas on this strange illness I would like to hear it!!!

Sounds like you have tank maintenance down to a T. That's awesome. Seems to be no problems with your water quality.

That leads me to believe it is a disease. I'm not finding anything besides dropsy on my normal diagnostic chart. You don't notice any raising of the scales at all? I wouldn't think it's dropsy, but that's what it sounds like (aside from the scales not being raised). Dropsy is usually a symptom of poor water quality, and yours is basically perfect. It may be a parasite problem (like when humans get a tapeworm their stomach blows up like a balloon). I will make your post a hot topic so hopefully someone else that has experienced this problem can help. Meanwhile, I would say just keep up with your water changes. You can try to give them some antibotic food if you can find some. Are they still eating?
I can think of one reason your pearls haven't gotten this disease, they could be immune to do it or their genetics may be more tolerant to that particular strain of disease. If it is a parasite, it may not have gotten to it's breeding stage yet. This is a tough one.

Keep us posted on any changes. Could you post the water quality on this post instead of the one where I asked for the water quality information? Some people may not see that before they see this post. Thanks.
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Phishie
Site Coordinator

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Just tested and here are the results:

Temp: 78.9 F
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 10 (barely pink on the test strip)
Nitrite:0
Hardness: 150
Alkalinity: about 100 (higher than the 80 "moderate" not quite 120-180 "ideal"
pH: 7.4

Set up since Feb. 8, 2009
Products used in the tank: Two Marineland filters (Bio-wheel 150)
Seachem Prime, Stability.
I have used Kordon Amquel is Nitrates and Nitrites are high. Used it twice. I keep a log of all water changes, tests, and anything I add to the tank, fish or otherwise.

Let me know if there is anything else Thanks for the help!!!