Neon Tetra looks chalky

[Bfishfamily]

Has anyone had a neon tetra that looks chalky? I am currently treating with aquarium salt and melafix but am a new fish hobbiest.

 

[Retired Viking]

I have neon tetras , they like to be in shoals of 6 or more, like plenty of plants to hide and come from jungle streams so they prefer darker tanks. So he may be stress. You are going to be asked about tank size, water conditions (test results), temp , water changes and more to help figure out whats wrong. Could you start listing those factors. Also has your tank cycled? Do you know about the nitrogen cycle?

 

[Bfishfamily]

Thank you! I have a 13 gallon tank with 4 neon tetras and 3 rainbow tetras. I know the chalkyness showed up after all of the neons had ICK. The water is 78 degrees and ph of 6.8. Since the ICK I have changed the water once a week. I havent tested the other water parameters.

 

[Bfishfamily]

Thank you! I have a 13 gallon tank with 4 neon tetras and 3 rainbow tetras. I know the chalkyness showed up after all of the neons had ICK. The water is 78 degrees and ph of 6.8. Since the ICK I have changed the water once a week. I havent tested the other water parameters.

I believe it has cycled. It has been running for 38 days

 

[Retired Viking]

This was a brand new tank and has been running for 38 days? Are there any live plants? How long ago did you change the water?

 

[Colin_T]

The fish is covered in excess mucous.

Check the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and post the results in numbers here.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for 2 weeks.

Stop adding chemicals.

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How much salt are you adding?

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Put a picture on the back of the tank to make the fish feel more secure.

When things settle down, get more neons but quarantine them for a few weeks before adding them to the tank.

 

[Retired Viking]

Colin_T Your right on top of it as usual.

 

[Bfishfamily]

This was a brand new tank and has been running for 38 days? Are there any live plants? How long ago did you change the water?

The tank was previously my neighbor's but I do not know when it was last used. There are no living plants and I changed the water on Tuesday.

 

[Bfishfamily]

The fish is covered in excess mucous.

Check the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and post the results in numbers here.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for 2 weeks.

Stop adding chemicals.

----------------------
How much salt are you adding?

----------------------
Put a picture on the back of the tank to make the fish feel more secure.

When things settle down, get more neons but quarantine them for a few weeks before adding them to the tank.

Will do. I have added 2 tablespoons of salt since yesterday's 25% water change.

 

[Retired Viking]

Collin_T is very knowledgeable, he knows what he is doing so follow his instructions. Ammonia is very dangerous to your fish so the water changes are very important. The only thing I would add to what he is saying is to add some live plants-floating plants like hornwort or water sprite are excellent at reducing ammonia over the long term and are not expensive. Also Tetras like planted tanks.

 

[Bfishfamily]

The fish is covered in excess mucous.

Check the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and post the results in numbers here.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for 2 weeks.

Stop adding chemicals.

----------------------
How much salt are you adding?

----------------------
Put a picture on the back of the tank to make the fish feel more secure.

When things settle down, get more neons but quarantine them for a few weeks before adding them to the tank.

The ph is 6.6
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate is close to 5

 

[FishGuest5123]

@Colin_T What causes excess mucous? Mine are doing it too. These are in my tank having problems. OP, do what Colin suggests.

 

[Colin_T]

What causes excess mucous?

poor water quality and chemicals in the water.

 

[Retired Viking]

That makes sense

 

[FishGuest5123]

poor water quality and chemicals in the water.

That can’t be it in my case. I’m at a loss.