Discolored Neon Tetra - Ph Problem

I have noticed over the last day or so that one of neon tetra's has become very faint in color and is not swimming with the rest of the fish. The red has faded to pink and the neon strip has become a very faint kind of purple. he has almost a white dot on his body just below his dorsal.
I tested everything and received all negatives, but I have a high PH - my water kit goes to 7.8 and it is higher than that. I have used PH decreaser but it does nto seem to be working. I did a 25% water change yesterday and again today. I want to make sure that what the tetra has my gold nugget pleco (he is my absolute favorite) and my sydontis cat does not get it. also, how do i fix the ph problem.

What are your other water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
Has there been any big ph swings.
Ph adjusters are not the answer they cause more problems then there worth.
Also if you do quite a big water change the ph is going to change because of the tap ph.

Any fluffy bits on the tetra.

Wilder said:

What are your other water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
Has there been any big ph swings.
Ph adjusters are not the answer they cause more problems then there worth.
Also if you do quite a big water change the ph is going to change because of the tap ph.

Any fluffy bits on the tetra.

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amonia, nitrite, and nitrate are 0 - the PH is just high. the tetra died last night and I did not see any fluff, could it have been NTD? I am mostly worried about my PH problem - any suggestions on how to lower it?

What other fish do you have in the tank?

I ask because most fish will adapt quite easily to any PH (within reason) and will be quite happy. A stable PH is far more important than achieving the correct PH value.

I agree with Wilder that PH adjusting chemicals do more harm than good as they will cause PH swings (this is much worse than having a stable PH of an incorrect value).

It is a good starting point to test the PH of your tap water to establish whether that is where your high PH value is coming from.

Unless you have a PH of 8.5+, i wouldn't classify it as a problem.

Hope this helps.

BTT

I did not see any fluffy bits on the tetra.

I just have 4 neons now, the sydontis, and the gold spotted plecco. probs get a few more smaller fish in a few weeks or so. I will make sure to monitor the remaining fish, and hope that whatever the tetra had did not spread. I was wondering if i needed more airation for the tank. i have three live plants and the filter that agitates the water

Always check the ph that the lfs have kept the fish in to no how long to climatise them for.
You can lower ph by running peat in your filter.
http/www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html