Neon Disease

[Mitch]

i have read people talking about neon disease. could anyone tell me what this is?

 

[EddieW]

Mitch,

Neon Tetra Disease is very very common in Neon Tetras - but be aware that it can spread to other fish as well as it is caused by parasites. There is no know cure for it (as far as I know) and it is usually recommended to immediately euthanase affected fish to prevent it spreading. The one time that I had Neons one came down with it and I didn;t spot it in time and lost all of the neons. I now go for Cardinals instead which are resistant to NTD.

Here's a good piece on NTD.

HTH, Eddie

 

[Mitch]

thanks for the help mate. i,ve noticed some strange bumps on my neons. i might trade them in and get some cardinals. what do u reckon?

 

[Mitch]

the only problem is catching the little buggers.

 

[EddieW]

That does sound like they have something badly wrong - could be NTD from the symptoms listed on that link, but could be tuberculosis instead. Either way it is serious and, as both are contagious, I would get them out of the tank asap, especially if there is anything else in there. In case it is tuberculosis I would recommend using gloves and make sure you don't accidentally swallow any of the water as it can cross over to humans.

From fishprofiles.com disease info for tuberculosis:

Tuberculosis is a very dangerous, highly contagious disease that can quickly destroy all fish in an aquarium with little advance warning.
Symptoms include:
loss of appetite and severe weight loss
arched backbones
pale colours
tumors and open wounds
inflammed skin
clamped fins
bulging eyes
Teatment is very difficult and often unsuccessful. Once external symptoms start to show, it is usually too late for a cure. All fish should be removed to a bare hospital tanks, with the visibly affected fish placed in a separate bare tank. Both tanks need to be treated with a strong anti-biotic. The original tank needs to be stripped and disinfected. The substrate must be thrown away.

They can be a pain to catch can't they - had loads of trouble catching my cardinals to move from q-tine tank to their proper home. I ended up having to remove everything from the tank and use two nets. Hold one still and use the other to shepard them into it. You need to move the net quite quick to catch them and stop them swimming back out.... This will stress them out but there is little choice and it sounds like they are not going to survive anyway

Eddie