Help! Neon Tetra Emergency

[Steerpike]

Hi,

I have had one die and another is on its way out. To put it in context...

I have a small 29l aquarium which I set up and had been cycling for 2 weeks before introducing 4 neons. All were fine after a week so I added 2 more neons, 4 black neons and an amano shrimp. 5 days later I returned from a night away to find one neon decomposed in a plant and this morning, another was upside down resting under the filter. On close inspection it cannot swim and has half its tail missing. Its a sorry sight. I have removed the dead fish and now have to put the other one out of its misery.

I have inspected all the fish and it seems they have small white spots on them. Could this be the cause? I have a Tetratec 400 plus filter which I had set on the lowest setting. It has occurred to me that perhaps I should have cranked it up to cope with the additions? I now have it half way and it is pumping out lots of bubbles. Whilst this might improve the oxygen - it seems the create too strong a current for such a small tank - can these small fish cope with such currents?

Im sure all nitrate/nitrite.ammonia levels are fine but I am going to get some testing kits today. I will also ask for something for the white spots.

Could there be something I havent thought of yet? All fish were bought from garden centres and the second one I had doubts about there fish care. Is it Neon tetra disease?

Thanks

 

[diet]

Hi,

I have had one die and another is on its way out. To put it in context...

I have a small 29l aquarium which I set up and had been cycling for 2 weeks before introducing 4 neons. All were fine after a week so I added 2 more neons, 4 black neons and an amano shrimp. 5 days later I returned from a night away to find one neon decomposed in a plant and this morning, another was upside down resting under the filter. On close inspection it cannot swim and has half its tail missing. Its a sorry sight. I have removed the dead fish and now have to put the other one out of its misery.

I have inspected all the fish and it seems they have small white spots on them. Could this be the cause? I have a Tetratec 400 plus filter which I had set on the lowest setting. It has occurred to me that perhaps I should have cranked it up to cope with the additions? I now have it half way and it is pumping out lots of bubbles. Whilst this might improve the oxygen - it seems the create too strong a current for such a small tank - can these small fish cope with such currents?

Im sure all nitrate/nitrite.ammonia levels are fine but I am going to get some testing kits today. I will also ask for something for the white spots.

Could there be something I havent thought of yet? All fish were bought from garden centres and the second one I had doubts about there fish care. Is it Neon tetra disease?

Thanks

what is the temp of your tank?
Slowly raise the tank temp buy a few degrees this will help to kill off the white spot whilst your getting some chemicals from the lfs for it

Daniel

 

[Steerpike]

what is the temp of your tank?
Slowly raise the tank temp buy a few degrees this will help to kill off the white spot whilst your getting some chemicals from the lfs for it

Daniel

Hi - its 25. Shall I raise it to 26/27?

Thanks

 

[diet]

what is the temp of your tank?
Slowly raise the tank temp buy a few degrees this will help to kill off the white spot whilst your getting some chemicals from the lfs for it

Daniel

Hi - its 25. Shall I raise it to 26/27?

Thanks

raise to 26.

then when u get your whitespot treatment follow there directions on there

 

[Steerpike]

what is the temp of your tank?
Slowly raise the tank temp buy a few degrees this will help to kill off the white spot whilst your getting some chemicals from the lfs for it

Daniel

Hi - its 25. Shall I raise it to 26/27?

Thanks

raise to 26.

then when u get your whitespot treatment follow there directions on there

thanks - will do.

 

[newtotropical]

And buy a test kit!! You really shouldnt be running a tank with no way of checking the stats. Also neons are not good fish to cycle with as that is what you are doing. They are to sensitive.

 

[fruity]

Does NOONE cycle a new tank for over 5-6 weeks anymore??

I was doing daily tests, weekly water changes etc for at least a month before I went anywhere near my LFS to buy some. Then, I only added 4 black neons (which are still alive!! ) and then waited yet another month before adding more fish.

I think you have added fish far too quickly. A common mistake but hard to fix when fish start to suffer. Water change, water change, water change. Cant recommend anything else really.