What's on my neon tetra? pic

[BChen7106]

I've had 6 neon tetras for a few months and about 2 weeks ago, noticed some white patches on one of them. They don't seem like spots of ich, and they are all otherwise behaving normally. I doubt it's neon tetra disease. Anyone know what this could be? It's only on one of them.

[Dave66]

I've had 6 neon tetras for a few months and about 2 weeks ago, noticed some white patches on one of them. They don't seem like spots of ich, and they are all otherwise behaving normally. I doubt it's neon tetra disease. Anyone know what this could be? It's only on one of them.

Its hard to tell from the photo (not your fault, tough to get a sharp closeup) whether its a small wound or a parasite like a fish louse. Does the mark look like its IN the fish or ON the fish?

Dave

[BChen7106]

It looks to me like it's more "in the fish". I mean I didn't even think much of it because I thought it was just a whitish band. But the closer I look, the more I think there's something there.

I guess my biggest concern is that it's something contagious that I should be quarantining him for. (How the heck I'm going to net that guy out of there is another issue) But he looks happy otherwise and is eating well and schooling with the other tetras.

[Pr0eve]

I never have luck with neon, they always get sick and kill my other fish. damn NTD.

[Dave66]

It looks to me like it's more "in the fish". I mean I didn't even think much of it because I thought it was just a whitish band. But the closer I look, the more I think there's something there.

I guess my biggest concern is that it's something contagious that I should be quarantining him for. (How the heck I'm going to net that guy out of there is another issue) But he looks happy otherwise and is eating well and schooling with the other tetras.

It sounds like a little wound, though, and its small enough and the fish is healthy I doubt it will fungus. All tetras have teeth, so one of them may have done a little sly nipping. Schools of tetras do it on and off all the time in my tanks as they hammer out the hierarchy. It usually looks like a few of the scales are missing (they grow back). As long as the little guy acts normal, eats normal, and the mark doesn't grow, I wouldn't worry about it. Keep a close eye on him, and keep us posted.

Dave

[BChen7106]

Thanks for all the help. Didn't realize that they would bite each other. Hopefully it just clears up on its own. I've had pretty good luck with my fish so far - only 1 death that was right from the petstore. Otherwise, all my fish have been healthy.

[CAX474]

After a bit of thinking and looking, I would have to agree its a wound from nipping as tetras love to play tagg and some times they also get a tendancy to nip each other.