Neon Tetra Disease? Black Phantom

[mbsqw1d]

Hi, does this look like NTD on one of my BlackPhantoms? Appears to be white swelling on mouth, tail fin and vent regions @Colin_T
Thanks

 

[Catt]

Hi, I was just trawling existing threads to see whether anyone had any info on this kind of thing as one of my male BPs has just come up withwhat looks like the same thing - swelling at the base of the tail and bright white spots at the base of almost all his fins, and a spot on his mouth. None of my other fish are showing any signs of illness, and he seems ok in himself. My water is fine according to my tests, and I haven't added any new fish since the BPs about 3 months ago. Very confused as thisbhas come up practically overnight. Hopefully someone will have some ideas. Interested to know whether yours got better.

 

[itiwhetu]

What are your water parameters, please tell me these fish are in an acid tank?

 

[Catt]

My ph is around 7.5, and everything I read about BPs said that was within their tolerance range. They were locally bred and bought, and my lfs said they hadn't had any issues. I know that's no guarantee, but the fish looked healthy and as I said they've been fine for months.

 

[itiwhetu]

These guys will survive for a while in an Alkaline system and then like all acid loving fish will succumb. They need to be in a soft acid tank to do well.

 

[Catt]

Ah, ok. Thanks, nothing I read highlighted that. I'll look at getting the ph down then.

 

[Catt]

Ooh, quick q - I have them in with silvertips (my original 'sacrificial' fish that are apparently indestructible) and cardinals, and have a starlight/white seam plec on order. I thought I'd chosen species that all needed similar parameters but now I'm questioning myself. Will lowering the ph be ok for them too?

 

[itiwhetu]

All of those fish are soft acid loving fish. To bring your pH down don't do anything radical. Just add some driftwood lots of live plants and maybe some almond leaves or peat. Do smaller water changes for a while and the pH will slowly come down. I do not recommend adding any product to your tank.

 

[Catt]

Thanks. They already have some chunks of driftwood and a good number of plants so I'll look at adding some peat pellets gradually and see what that does.