What is wrong with my fish

**tbay2005** · 08-27-2009, 02:29 AM

I have a black skirt tetra that has been acting weird for a while now.

It will sink to the bottom, either upright or upside down, and just sit there. I have thought it was dead a couple of times. Then it looks as if it has problems, struggles to swim or stay afloat.

Any ideas what is up with this fish?

**Oscar_freak12321** · 08-27-2009, 02:30 AM

Any injuries? Eating normal? What are the water params?

**rich311k** · 08-27-2009, 02:31 AM

What are your parameters? test readings? What else is in the tank and how long has it been setup?

**tbay2005** · 08-27-2009, 02:45 AM

I have to get a new testing kit, but, the tank(29g) has been set up for a year now. All the other fish are doing just fine.

Just this one fish is doing this.

**Oscar_freak12321** · 08-27-2009, 02:46 AM

Anything picking on it? Other fish, perhaps? Again, any injuries? Eating normally?

**King Tut** · 08-27-2009, 02:51 AM

It could be Neon Tetra Disease. I have had a few black skirts and some serpaes do this recently. The best I can gather on here from answers to my posts is this can hit any fish. They can seem fine and a little stress will lower the immune system and then they start acting like this. I have been unsuccessful in treating it I am sorry to say. Tried Melafix, Pimafix and Maracyn. Sorry I couldn't be of more help maybe someone else has seen this as well and will come along with some new info or advice.

**tbay2005** · 08-27-2009, 02:53 AM

Forgot to add that it is eating normally.

**DrNic** · 08-27-2009, 03:13 AM

Might be a swim bladder problem or a general infection. I agree that general treatment is your best option. You might also want to separate the fish if possible.

**Wiggs** · 08-27-2009, 05:48 AM

Originally Posted by King Tut

I have been unsuccessful in treating it I am sorry to say. Tried Melafix, Pimafix and Maracyn.

As a side note, NTD isn't treatable, and is best to remove the fish as soon as the case is confirmed and euth IMO.

**Dave66** · 08-27-2009, 05:56 AM

Originally Posted by King Tut

It could be Neon Tetra Disease. I have had a few black skirts and some serpaes do this recently. The best I can gather on here from answers to my posts is this can hit any fish. They can seem fine and a little stress will lower the immune system and then they start acting like this. I have been unsuccessful in treating it I am sorry to say. Tried Melafix, Pimafix and Maracyn. Sorry I couldn't be of more help maybe someone else has seen this as well and will come along with some new info or advice.

Actually, NTD is caused by an internal fungus, and can only be contracted by eating something that contains the fungus (a sporozone), or biting a fish infected by it. It is NOT contagious, so though a fish that has disease is doomed, since there is no cure for Pleistophora hyphessobryconis, if the infected fish is removed before being nibbled on as it's dying, none of the other fish need be treated for anything. Not that treating the fish will do any good, since the disease has no cure.

If you read my disease primer stickied in the disease forum, you'll learn all about NTD, as well as the common diseases that occur in freshwater and marine tanks.

Dave