really really pale phantom tetra

[clutterydrawer]

in the space of the last few hours one of my black phantom tetras has gone almost white. there's been a lot of stress for him recently as the heater failed (boiled then froze them) and i changed part of the substrate a while ago, though i tried to cause minimum disturbance. i have no idea why he's suddenly become so stressed and why he's the only one affected. i've turned the lights off and checked the water but i don't know what else to do

ammonia - 0
nirite - 0
nitrate - 5

ph 7 ish

temperature is fine too.
he isnt showing any other symptoms except being so pale. hes quite old (though im not sure the average lifespan for a tetra) but i would have thought if he was going to die of old age he would jsut die, not go pale first? if anyone has any idea what's up i'd be very grateful.

 

[clutterydrawer]

sorry, i just read the pinned topic, i forgot to say:

water change: 20% about every week
not using any chemicals
54 L tank, only two black phantoms left after the aforementioned heater accident
not added any new fish for a while

 

[Tropjunky]

don't havve new fish but water changes cause stress as well so use metaflex just incase and lights off animals are a lot more calm in the dark.

 

[clutterydrawer]

what's metaflex?

 

[clutterydrawer]

aaaaanyone?


*listens to echoes*

 

[tstenback]

Perhaps melafix was meant. A general tonic and healer.

 

[Bradder]

Just wanted to know you are not alone. Sorry I have never heard of Metaflex only Melafix which is a Tea Tree based medication used to treat surface wounds, injuries, and other such things in fish. Will try to search my stuff for some mention of metaflex for you and let you know.

I am sure this doesn't help, but I also know it can be frustrating to have an emergency and not get any answers. Good luck.

 

[clutterydrawer]

thankyou. ive left the lights off since i noticed it but i might have to turn them on in a bit cos i cant see whether hes still alive or not it's a bank holiday here so nowehre's been open but i can try get some of this mysterious melafix tomorrow.

 

[Bradder]

Sorry, did a search for metaflex and found nothing but one obscure mention of treating a saltwater fish with it- they could have meant Melafix as well, though.

In the US, at least, it is not hard to find - even many grocery stores with pet sections carry it. Personally, I am not sure it would be the answer but it is good antibacterial stuff and I have never heard of it causing any harm- someone please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Though I have never had black phantom tetras, I do know that a lot of fish will simply lose their color when stressed and/or in shock. I have seen this happen a lot with some angels and loaches- often producing panic in their owners . Since he is not showing any additional signs of disease at this point, he may be just having a bad day (or week). Keeping him quiet and darkened, in my opinion, is probably the best for him and hopefully he will start to settle down on his own.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[clutterydrawer]

i figured it was a sign of stress/shock but i am so mystified because i just dont know what would suddenly have caused it! Ill keep the lights off and see how it goes. thanks for all your help.

 

[tstenback]

actually keeping the lights off may keep the color faded as lots of tetras fade when the lights are off. I know that keeping them off will help relax the fish but i would turn them on at some point in the next while and see if the color will come back. Sometimes my neons will stay faded for aboout 20 mins after the lights come on, maybe your black phantom is similar so when you turn the lights on give it some time. HTH

 

[clutterydrawer]

thanks, ill give that a go tomorrow then and see how he acts. he's swimmng lazily aswell now and hiding a lot... i was worried about having the lights off for a long period because i have live plants and i don't want to kill them all off. such dilemmas!