Giving Up On Neon Tetra Completely

[Daveo026]

Hi guys tanks gone into lock down today as I wait for my neons to drop dead. it's the same thing as I had last time breathing fast losing all their colour then die all other fish are fine and I believe will stay that way I'm guessing NTD. So iv become sick of wasting money on neons. Anyway when I open my tank again what would be a good replacement fish school to get.

i was thinking cardinal tetra but never had them are they a lot stronger then neons?

 

[techen]

Neons are such a common fish now they lost there hardyness a long time ago. Not worth keeping XD

 

[fluttermoth]

I gave up on neons years ago!
 
Yes, these days cardinals are hardier than neons; the green neon Paracheirodon simulans it what I keep now; they seem to be hardy, if your tank's well matured; they don't do well in new tanks, even if properly cycled, IME.
 
You don't want to add any kind of neon for at least a couple of months though, to let the disease die out.

 

[phantomlink]

I have some in my big tank, but they dont swim around they stay near the sand 24/7 and I see my nocturnal fish more then I do them.  My theory on them is "if it dies, meh"

 

[Daveo026]

Can cardinals be affected by NTD? Il not be getting the cardinals for a couple of months anyway now. was really happy with my tank last night i added 2 bn plecos yesterday that was completing my tank on the fish side that is now back to stocking again.....

 

[eaglesaquarium]

You know, I've heard that neon tetras are so sensitive, etc.  I gave up fishkeeping for a LONG time - moved out of my childhood home and got into fishkeeping again.  Neons were one of the fish I'd kept for a long time as a kid/teen.  When I saw them for $1 at Petsmart a while ago (18+ months) I bought 9.  Check my profile.  Haven't bought another since.

  Still have 9 - doing great and are the fish that draw the ooos and ahhhs from folks that see my tank.  Their coloring is so fantastic, and they get along with other peaceful fish so well, I just love them.
 
Getting cardinals for my S.A. biotype tank, eventually.

 

[M4R13Y]

I have never really liked neon tetras either. I see them as too common and I like fish that not many people have seen

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I had a bit of a struggle with neons too. I had them for several weeks, then one by one I'd lose one to NTD every couple of weeks... I lost 4.... but now.... I've gone a long period without losing one so I am hoping that means the episode has died out... would like to increase my numbers... but too worried about adding more that might bring in NTD again.

 

[Gilli]

Cardinals are a much more colourful fish - more striking than the neons which sometimes look washed out!

 

[Daveo026]

I hope that it doesnt spread to my other fish. i hope its just neons just randomly dieing.....

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Cardinals are a much more colourful fish - more striking than the neons which sometimes look washed out!

 
 
My neons have never looked "washed out".  I think that's a result of either disease, stress, or darkness - they lose their vibrant colors at night.  It comes right back when the lights come on though...

 

[fluttermoth]

I know the neons in my LFS always look terrible these days; very pale and whitish; and it's not just the normal washed-outness (if you know what I mean!) of being in the shop tanks either; the cardinals and green neons aren't like it, nor are things like glowlights.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I know what you mean...  
 
BTW, it appears that the vast majority of folks complaining about neons are in the UK.  Perhaps they are much weaker in the UK than in the US.  Just trying to figure out what's going on...

 

[fluttermoth]

Hmm, that is interesting!

 

[Liz xty]

My shoal of neons died (or disappeared) one by one, and then there was one left - who, incidentally, looks great and healthy! But Ive decided not to get more neons, the more Ive read about NTD and then also, looked into their water preferences! So I've just got cardinals. They're only little at the moment and the neon must be as big as they get, but the neon is schooling with them as if they're long lost mates - poor little guy /