Bought Another Neon Tetra---Question

[Fishmanic]

bought one neon tetra today to add to the seven I have in the tank. He seems to be somewhat schooling and hanging with the other tetras.  But one thing I noticed is his coloring is somewhat faded expecially the red area--it looks almost orange instead of red and is light.   Don't see any spots on him or inflammation.  Is this normal for a tetra added to a tank--could it be the stress of moving him to his new home?

 

[techen]

Sounds about normal to me FM.

 

[Gvilleguy]

When I get new rasboras or neons their colors are noticeably faded while still in the bag. They usually take several days to color up and match the older residents.

 

[Fishmanic]

thanks for the info Gvilleguy---yeh--it's still faded but swimming about---will watch it over the next several days

 

[AshleyNZ]

It's the stress from moving I would imagine. I've noticed that too with new fish. Should be nice and bright within a few days

 

[Yeved]

Yup. Give em a few days.

 

[Fishmanic]

Ok it's been 2 days and he still has the same coloration--a faded orange colored rear stripe instead of the expected red---on one side, I also notice a white patch similar to the neon on this picture (couldnt get an actual pic of my fish)----what do you think this could be?  it seems to swim normally  and is schooling pretty much and I believe it's eating
 

 

[Fishmanic]

I have decided to quarantine this tetra since from what I read it could be neon tetra disease or a bacterial infection---will treat with maracyn two ---will quarantine for at least 4 weeks

 

[AshleyNZ]

It could be NTD, good call to move him to quarantine 

 

[Fishmanic]

but he's lived for 4 days since I got him--I believe ntd leads to death within a few days---he's swimming well in the quarantine tank but I havent seen him eat since i got him

 

[Fishmanic]

could the lack of proper coloring be due to the tetra being very young---he is pretty little, the smallest of all the 9 neons I have. Perhaps he will color up as he ages. He's swimming fine in the hospital tank where he's been for 7 days. I have had him a total of 10 days and treated him for columnaris and am now treating for fungus just to be safe. I don't want to put him back in the main tank till I'm sure he's
alright. How long would you leave him in quarantine to make sure he doesnt have a disease. One thing, I do add food to the hospital (very little) and have yet to see him eating.

 

[Fishmanic]

well the tetra died yesterday---oh well, he no longer is suffering---went out an bought 2 neon tetras today to bring the school up to 10---this time I did made sure to inspect the neons before buying--something I failed to do last time---still acclimating the fish

 

[Byron]

I do not know what the issue was from that photo, but the death does not surprise me.  It may have been some sort of bacterial issue, or internal protozoan or both.
 
I assume the new neons are in the QT now?  Keep a very close eye on them, and keep them isolated for six weeks.  If they came from the same tank, they could be carrying whatever it was that affected the original tetra.  I would not at this point treat the new fish for anything, unless they develop symptoms.  The fish are under stress from the store tank and the transfer, and adding chemicals to the water will only increase the stress and this weakens a fish's immune system.
 
Byron.

 

[Fishmanic]

these fish were from a different store---did notice one dead fish in the tank among 40 or so fish---I'm not quarantining them--guess I'm taing a bit of a chance but chose the tetra carefully and will keep a close eye on them == so far so good