Neon Tetra disease

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Can I please have descriptions of the effects, behaviour and so on of Neons that are infected, dying and then dead through Neon Tetra disease, please.

I lost a Neon last night, think I am losing one more today, and am trying to ascertain culprit(s).

The one last night was drifting, unable to maintain its balance, trying to eat flakes but couldn't get it's mouth around them, breathing erratically.

The rest were all fine but staying away.
It died later last night.

All comments welcome...

[RobbieG]

This is the most common description I have found

This disease was originally described in Neon Tetras, but can affect many other species of fish. In Neons, one of the early signs of this disease is a loss of the red colour, and difficulty swimming Note that there is a so-called "false neon disease", which is bacterial, and shows very similar symptoms. It is impossible for the home aquarist to determine for certain the difference between NTD and false NTD on the basis of visible symptoms alone, without laboratory backup.

From

http://www.erdingtonaquatics.com/treatment/treatment5.html

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Great help!
Yes, some of those things mentioned sure were present...

Keep the advice and info coming!

[RobbieG]

Quarantine them if you can and try the antiparasite meds it can't hurt. If it is false NTD melafix may help (changed this as I was wrong earlier)

Did you have the color fading?

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Yes, the red has faded nearly completely from the next ill one.

[rollie]

there is no know cure for neon tetra disease.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

The second sick one is hanging in there, and has regained a little of his colour. This morning I was at the LFS as the opened the front doors, the guy inside knew what was going on just from part of the desrioption as he correctly named the other symptoms, gave me some meds. Round 1 of meds are in the tank with the water change. So - Round 1 - FIGHT!

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Argh, I am having second thoughts - perhaps I should yank the sick one out and euthanise it...that's what the LFS guy recommended, rather than try to cure it with medicine like I am doing - what do you think, folks?

[RobbieG]

Rollie is right - there is no known cure - but companies that make anti parasite meds claim some success. False NTD cannot be distinguished from NTD (without an autopsy) and is curable by antibacterial meds.

The important thing to do is to quarantine the fish. It is call neon tetra disiease - but spreads easily to many other species.

If they were my fish I would quarantine and treat with antibacterial mediaction and antiparasite medication.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

The other ill one was euthanised two hours ago, as I saw necropsy erupting on its exterior. The euthanasia was a very peaceful death for it - gave it an overdose of anaesthetic.

So, the whole tank is now a hospital tank.

Here's hoping the rest will be OK with the meds.

Thanks all for comments, advice and support.

[RobbieG]

What did they give you

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Here's a link to the MSDS for the product!
http://www.aristopet.com.au/Library/Downloads/MSDS%20Info/AM77%20Tri-Sulpha.pdf

and here's the copy from their website:
http://www.aristopet.com.au/Library/Downloads/Downloadable%20pdf%20files/Product%20Info%20Sheets/AM77%20Tri-Sulpha%20INFO.pdf

[RobbieG]

I hadn't seen that one before - looks like it would do the trick if you are lucky and its just the false NTD.

Best of luck to you and your fish.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

Thanks for your support.

I'd say that being in Australia, we get stuff aimed at Asia, whereas you get stuff aimed for the US & Europe.

[RobbieG]

LOL - seems like everything we buy here is made in China though!

[Nick_Pavlovski]

My wife is from China, she is amazed at all the stuff here in Australia that is "Made in China", becuase she says back home they don't get to see or buy any of it.
So, even if it's "Made in China", it is often better quality than what is available to Chinese citizens!

[jweintraub]

I lost 5 neons to NTD a few months ago. It started with the color fading and then the erratic swimming, followed by lock-jaw. Their mouths would get stuck in the open position, at that point they were all euthanised.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

For me, it was seeing one swimming at a 45% angle and trying (but failing) to bump into stuff. He'd try to eat, but couldn't "connect" properly with the food. Then I noticed the colour fade.

[Lady Hobbs]

Good point on the false neon tetra disease, RobbieG. I think every time a neon dies it's contributed to NTD and I don't think it's all that common, really. All fish die from something or another and neon's are pretty tender little fish.

The coloring fading also happens to all fish stressed out and ill but it is one of the factors to look for. NTD goes pretty much as you described with a decline in health, not an all at once death.

Every now and then I see a tetra all faded out and I swear he's a goner. Two hours later he's all colored up again and swimming happily with the others. I don't know why they do that.

[Nick_Pavlovski]

The remaining four tetras are alive, but not as active since their school has shrunk.
I've noticed 3 of the 4 have some finrot/fungus...not too badly, though.
Understandable with the stress of me removing their comrades.

Tomorrow I give the tank a tiny water change and another dose of medicine, I hope that should clear everything up...

[Nick_Pavlovski]

So, i do a 7% water change, and put in another does of meds, as a dose every 3 days is recommended.
I move a plant around as well, stirring up a lot of much and uneaten food - they've been off thier food lately, and the bristlenose is being really picky. I thinking of getting rid of him in favour of two corys, as at least they will eat uneaten food, and I can scrape algae off the tank.

This morn two more tetras are dead, but this time I'd say it's cause of the ammonia spike from distrubing all that muck.