NTD IS PRESENT IN MY TANK!!!

[Pleco-Heaven]

In my 19 gal last night I noticed a Neon tetra was ill, I instantly thought NTD. This morning I looked at the fish and matched it's symptoms up with NTD. Sadly we had to euthunise the poor thing to try and prevent spreading and put it out of it's misery. What can we do, I know there is no cure, I need a course of action. We are going to do a water change tonight, but what size? What else can help?

Grateful for any HELPFUL answers.

P.S What tankmates might this diesease infect?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

It can infect all of them.

I believe protozoin was supposed to help stop it from spreading to the other fish... Not too sure, but seeing as how I "bumped" this thread, you should get a definite response.

 

[rvm]

Yeah, protozin is supposed to stop it. I've never had it in my tanks, but I use protozin for other things. Gotta be worth a go.

 

[steppy104]

what is NTD?

*waits for a reply so obious it'll make me smack myslef*

 

[rvm]

Neon Tetra Disease!!

 

[duckdown]

i bet you i've got that

do they shrink and turn all pale and see-through?
man.. my water is A-OK and these fish are just letting me down like theres no tomorrow..

another thing.. ive got 2 bottom feeders or whatever; not ottos, i dont know the technical name.. any reason one is really light in color and one is dark?

 

[steppy104]

oh...no wonder i don't know what it is.....never had the things! lol.

 

[CFC]

Neon tetra disease can be carried by other fish but only affects neons so luckily your other fish will be ok, unfortunately it is very likely that all your neons will die over the next few months. With the mass breeding of neons in fish farm in the far east nearly all imported neons now carry NTD, to get the same colour effect a far safer choice is cardinal tetras which are still largely wild caught and once aclimatised are much hardier than neons.
Once a tank has been infected with NTD it will always be infected unless a complete sterilisation is done so you should not add anymore neons.

 

[duckdown]

oh, great

thanks for telling everyone after they've all bought them!

i own 3 for god's sakes.. now i gotta do what exactly to my tank?
their colours look pretty diminished.. but im much more worried about this betta who can't even whoop a baby gourami's butt.

 

[Doggfather]

thanks for telling everyone after they've all bought them!

This is where proper research pays off. Information about NTD is avaliable every where you look, in book, in magazines, on the net and even on TV. NTD isn't present in ALL neon tetras, but quite a few of them are infected with it. Buying from a good, reputable dealer might give you a bit more security because they'll be going for quality over quantity.

 

[luxum]

I went with the more expensive cardinals in my tank partially to avoid NTD which i've had problems with previously. I've read conflicting info, but some sites claim that cardinals are resistant to this affliction. The poor neons are just so inbred and susceptible to diseases that i won't keep them anymore. That said, the best advice i can give you is to quarantine your remaining neons. They may require euthanization. The disease can transmit to many other species including other characins.

 

[Pleco-Heaven]

So if they all die out, I'll get cardinals instead. No one else is showing syptoms yet, hopefully, unless I'm missing something. They're still staying in a group, but just staying in one spot and moving side to side. Also I noticed one had some crusty stuff around it's eye but it seems too be gone.

 

[cation]

.. but im much more worried about this betta who can't even whoop a baby gourami's butt.

If you are worried about the betta, your best bet is to get him out into a one gallon (or bigger ) tank of his own. If you want him to survive, he needs a chance to heal. Bettas can be very rewarding fish with great personalities, but he needs a chance to recouperate before you attempt to return him to your community tank. He will be very happy with you if he can have his own little house with a bit of BettaMax to help him get better.

I'm glad you're concerned about his welfare The fish in our tanks count on us to give them the best life possible