Poorly cardinal tetra

[Catfish586]

This is a large cardinal that I've had for two or three years - always been bigger than the others. In the last day or two he's looked peeky and is now swimming abnormally... immobile spells and then bursts, or swimming at odd angles. He looks off colour but I can't see any actual fungus etc. I did a 20% water change at the weekend and have just checked it - slightly harder than normal perhaps but no other deviations. It might be old age but I lost another one a couple of months ago with no obvious signs of illness, and this may be similar. Help?! Video link here

 

[GaryE]

I tried really hard to get a clear look, but I couldn't see clearly enough.
It isn't old age. Cardinals hit the stores young, and 5-7 or more years is a reasonable lifespan for them.

It might be the misnamed "neon tetra disease", a virus that targets South American tetras. There's no cure or treatment.

She (yup, not he) could have a range of different bacterial infections. I'm assuming you've been doing those 20% or more water changes every week, but sometimes things develop and don't signal major tank-wide problems. i don't think anything will save the poor fish, and a quiet, warm palliative care tank or euthanasia with clove oil would be my options.

 

[Catfish586]

Thanks for that. Yes, I fear neon tetra disease as well. It looks worse by the hour and I don't want the others eating it if it's infected. Will try a palliative tank and if no improvement kindly euthanise

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I see that this may be swim bladder disease but it could also be Neon tetra disease. Separate the tetra from the rest and monitor its health. How are your other fishes doing, even if they are not cardinals? What are your water parameters? Did you add anything in your tank in the past 2 weeks? How long ago did you get the cardinals?

 

[Catfish586]

All the others are OK. I added some C02 but only a tiny bit and they've had it added before with no problems. I did receive a cardinal from a neighbour last summer or September or thereabouts, but otherwise I've had the cardinals for 2-3 years. I've separated it for the time being.

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

Then it is unlikely that it is Neon Tetra Disease, otherwise all your fish would be dead by now. Your cardinal is probably an unlucky fish.

 

[Catfish586]

he/she's's been a conundrum for ages... bigger than all the others, looked bloated a while back but subsided, very slightly bent spine, but has always looked happy and been the most confident of the shoal

 

[StripySnailGirl04]

I'm not specialised in fish diseases. Perhaps @Colin_T can help.