Are My Neon Tetras Sick?

[oldoak66]

Hi,

I have been treating my neons for white spot and the tank is due for the next treatment tomorrow (which will be 4 days).

My current water stats are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0.3 (don't know why it has gone up all of a sudden)
Nitrate 25
PH - between 7 and 7.5

I did a 50% water change today because of the nitrite and before I add the next dosage tomorrow.

My problem is two-fold. One of the tetras (I have 5) is not shoaling with the others, although does swim with them occasionally and appears to be gasping for breath. Could that be because of the white spot?

Two of the tetras (one is more prounounced than the other) seem to have very rounded bellies:

Photo 1 - This shows both fish with their rounded bellies - not good photos but they just wouldn't stay still and say cheese.

Photo 2 - again showing the rounded shape of the fish.

Photo 3 - These are both the "rounded" fish but notice how the one on the bottom looks more round.

I have tried to research what the problem may be, and have looked at sites about Neon Tetra Disease, etc. None of the neons have lost their colour.

Any suggestions as to what could be happening? I don't have another tank to quarantine them - I don't have space or resources at present to get one. I would appreciate any help/advice that can be given. This is my first tank and so far I'm finding fishkeeping to be a NIGHTMARE

I should point out that a male guppy that I got on Tuesday was found dead this morning - it was fine last night, eating normally, swimming about, etc.

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[clinton ><>]

it looks like they might be carrying eggs to me but im not sure or was this picture took just after you fed them because my tetras tend to be a little bit to greedy and get a little bit bigger belly

 

[-SPB-]

One of the tetras (I have 5) is not shoaling with the others, although does swim with them occasionally and appears to be gasping for breath. Could that be because of the white spot?

Females have rounded bellys. They may be pregnant. But i'm no expert. Someone else will probably help you.

I've got 5 neons in my tank, had them a couple of months, 4 of them mainly swim together but 1 is on his own mainly, they have always been like this so maybe it's just the fish.

 

[Puffdaddy]

When treating fish with meds. they tend to poo more, which could be the cause of the rise in nitrite. Or, depending on what med. you are using, your beneficial bacteria might be dieing off a little bit. As for the neons with round plump bellies, it is true that females are noticably larger and rounder than the males. Did they all of a sudden get the round bellies within the last 24hrs or did they develope over time. Also could be feeding results.

Edit: The guppy likely died from the result of nitrite shock. Neons not staying with the shoal is not uncommon and is also, most likely reacting to the rise in nitrite

 

[oldoak66]

Hi all, thanks for your responses. The neon that seemed to be gasping for breath died during the night. The other fatties don't appear as fat now - I have held back on the feeding a little so maybe they had stuffed themselves a bit too much. I guess though, because they are still a little more rounded than the other two, they could be female and may be pregnant, though they aren't as noticeably rounded as before.

The other two guppies are doing well, their colours are still vivid. I'm thinking that if not because of nitrite shock then maybe he was just a sickly fella anyway.

Incidentally, I am using Interpet White Spot Plus to treat the white spot. Did the final treatment today. I did a 60% water change before I did the treatment so I'm hoping that I'll get rid of the white spot and the levels can get back to normal.

I really appreciate your responses. Thanks again.