Help With Neon

[Craig89]

Ok so I get in from work to fine one of my neons in a bad way. It has what looks like a white furry abcess on its side and is struggling to swim. Everyone else in the tank is fine I've got a photo best I could. Any ideas what it could be ?

 

[The Taffy Apple]

They don't look like Neon to me
Tank size?
Water test results?
How old is the tank?
Any new inhabitants?

Terry.

 

[Craig89]

Black neon tetra I havnt had time to do any tests yet tank is 260l and has been set up for 2 years no new fish in around 4 month

 

[FishLover66]

I'm no expert, but have read a ton about fish illness since it seems every time I add new fish, I end up with one outbreak or another. The picture looks like the fish has some sort of fungus. The fish could have been hurt somehow and got infected. I think your best bet would be to isolate it and treat the individual fish since no other fish are affected. I'd also do a water change to minimize whatever has attacked that fish in the water.

 

[kcartwright856]

It definitely looks like a fungus.

You really ought to be testing the water often. What is your water change regimen?

Quarantine the infected fish and start a Melafix and Pimafix treatment. Full dosage as per bottle instructions. Add an airstone, perhaps even a bit of salt, and raise the heat a few degrees.

 

[Craig89]

Cheers guys only problem is my spare heater isn't working and I can't get one untill tomorow

 

[Craig89]

Looks like my plec had it too and I've not got anywhere big enough for him looks like I'm going to have to dose the full tank

 

[kcartwright856]

You should be fine to dose the tank. Melafix and Pimafix are natural and gentle. I certainly wouldn't make a habit of it, but it may be a good preventative measure anyway on the chance that someone else may pop up with the fungus shortly.

 

[FishLover66]

I keep seeing people recommend melafix and pimafix....the last time I used the combination my Betta died, plus it destroyed my biological filter.... Is one safer than the other?

 

[kcartwright856]

Melafix is not safe for bettas. They sell "Bettafix", which is basically diluted Melafix, but this is not considered by many to be safe either. This also applies to other anabantoids. I am sorry to hear that your betta was affected.

As for the biological filter being affected, I have never heard of or experienced this. It very well could have been a result of something else entirely.