neon tetra disease

[platypus]

Hi everyone.

Would really appreciate some advice - I am having a complete panic that my tank is infested with neon tetra disease and I have only just figured it out! We got 10 neons as our first fish (after the tank had cycled) and they all did really well apart from one who died, then over the summer heatwave we lost two, which at the time I put down to the constant battle against high temperatures in the tank as all the neons got really listless and seemed to hate it. Then over the course of the last week I noticed one of the other neons had started to lose his red colour just behind the anal fin. His behaviour seemed fine though - he wasn't isolated and his appetite was great. Woke up this morning to find we were 1 neon down... and worst of all, all that was left was a tiny bit of blue tail so the others had obviously eaten all the rest. Now I have just been reading about neon tetra disease and I am worried this is what the problem is - and worst of all that by eating the dead one it may have spread all round the tank.

Ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are all 0 - is there anything I can do? If I keep the water quality good is there a chance the others won't succumb or once they catch it do they not stand a chance?

I found this on another post which was a great help, but if anyone has any other info I would be really grateful.

 

[Alien Anna]

I think the big problem with that description is that it could describe virtually every serious disease fish get - tailrot, pop-eye, bloating (dropsy), fungal infections... In fact, I lost a female betta to something that sounded very much like Neon Tetra Disease, but I don't think bettas can get it.

Certainly isolate any sick fish but I think all you can do is try to keep the other fish's immune systems in as good a condition as possible. This means keeping water quality good, temperature within range and give them good quality food. Healthy fish with good immune systems can resist most infections.

 

[platypus]

In fact, I lost a female betta to something that sounded very much like Neon Tetra Disease, but I don't think bettas can get it.

So is it true that some fish aren't susceptible? I would imagine it is the dwarf gouramis that ate the dead neon.

All the other fish seem fine - but I have recently added 6 variatus platies and I am worried that this addition will harm the water quality - perhaps I should increase my water changes to twice a week, do you think this would help?

V relieved that you say keeping water quality good and temperature within range should keep them all happy and healthy - at least that means it's within my control.

Do you know what is the best way to keep temperatures under control when it gets really hot outside? I kept switching the heater off but this was just stopping it from getting hotter, not actually bringing the temperatures down at all - it was above 30º at times this year.

 

[Alien Anna]

So is it true that some fish aren't susceptible? I would imagine it is the dwarf gouramis that ate the dead neon.

All the other fish seem fine - but I have recently added 6 variatus platies and I am worried that this addition will harm the water quality - perhaps I should increase my water changes to twice a week, do you think this would help?

V relieved that you say keeping water quality good and temperature within range should keep them all happy and healthy - at least that means it's within my control.

Do you know what is the best way to keep temperatures under control when it gets really hot outside? I kept switching the heater off but this was just stopping it from getting hotter, not actually bringing the temperatures down at all - it was above 30º at times this year.

I believe Neon Tetra Disease only affects fish like some characins (tetras), carp-like fish (including minnows and goldfish) and some cichlids. It's rather like fish malaria from what I understand.

I suspect twice-weekly water changes would not particularly help, provided you don't over-feed and keep your water quality good. All I am really saying is that if you keep your tank properly, it'll reduce the chances of all diseases, including NTD.

Depending on the sort of fish you keep I wouldn't worry about the temperature so much. I keep one tank regularly at 82F/30C (its near a window to a conservatory, so is in rather a hot part of the house). The only fish I've lost have been pencilfish, which are dying of old age (they only live about 18 months - 2 years). I would however keep the hood open when it gets very hot, and consider turning the lights off during the hottest part of the day. I'd also keep a room fan on. The heater should have a thermostat on it so should not be switching on except possibly at night - unless its faulty. It should have a light on it to indicate when its heating the water, if you're worried.

 

[mrV]

"Neon tetra disease" is not disease that only neons have. Other fishes could become sick too. There is no treatment if you have real "neon tetra disease" and sick ones must be put down as soon as possible.

Another disease "false neon tetra disease" is caused by bacteria. It's different disease. This diseasi could be transmitted to human too (Nocardia -bacterium). You need to examine the sick fish (microscope) to be sure is it false or not false "neon tetra disease".