Tank log

[Maisie123]

I don’t think so, I’ve never seen him interact with the tetras really. They do however seem to nip each other a lot, and now him as well.

[Maisie123]

And there’s either 10 or 11 cardinals, I can never count them.

[plankton]

Then they may just see him as a predator.
They don't live together in the wild, so it might just be a built-in protection action.

[Maisie123]

Oh dear , anything I can do?

[Ric]

..or the cardinals are just bored? So they 'entertain' themselves by nipping on the slow moving fish.

What to do, I guess, depends on your gourami - I've had real grumps in the past that would chase neon tetras around but if yours is just too gentle, perhaps consider finding a new home for him? For now, keep an eye on him - there is still a chance he will stand his ground and chase the tetras away. If he does start to suffer, i.e. trying to get away but unable to escape the cardinals, pop him into breeder net/floating tank or, if available, put him into a separate tank.

[Maisie123]

Okay thank you, I’ll see how he goes.

[Maisie123]

Fins are all recovered, however he seems bloated
There was an accident with too much food falling in the water, I’ve removed as much as I can and done a 40% water change followed by two 10% in the following days- nitrates are not too bad. Is it likely from the food in the water? Or dwarf gourami disease possibly. Hope not.

[plankton]

They do tend to pig-out if there's food about.
Maybe a starve day or two to see if that is the problem. Just feed crushed pea the following day (if you can get any..... ).

[Maisie123]

Thing is, the cardinals don’t have swollen bellies at all, and it’s usually them that eats all the food- he doesn’t seem to have much interest in food and he’s quite lethargic. I haven’t fed since the 20th, I’ll try a pea tonight.

[Maisie123]