How To Pick Healthy Neon Tetras From The Lfs? Is There A Way To Avoid

[ey2006]

I've got 5 neon tetras in my smaller 29g tank and wish to add some more.

The problem with adding more neons is the potential for the new neons to have NTD and then spreading it to the other fish in the tank. Not only could this kill all the new and existing neons, but could also kill the other fish.

Basically, is there a way to pick neons at the LFS that are not infected with NTD?

I guess one way around this is to quarantine the neons before adding them to the main tank but unfortunately I don't have any spare tanks.

Is it just a case of luck?

I have considered cardinals too, but would prefer neons at this stage.

 

[jarmado]

i know i heard NTD before but just can't remember what it stands for?
Neon...Disease?

 

[Jules H-T]

You're going to kick yourself.....


Tetra!

 

[soritan]

Well, at my LPS, you don't get to choose which fish you get. You walk up to the counter, say "I want a Schwartzi Cory," and they say, "Which one is that/" and you say, "The one with the band across the eyes like a tiny silver/black racoon," and then you hope for the best.

So... uhm... select a good lFs if it's availble to you (fish store vs pet store), and hope that the lfs knows the difference between a good fish and a bad one?

 

[jarmado]

You're going to kick yourself.....


Tetra!

yaikksss...
i am looking for a more scientific meaning...


i call this...
FMD and LFWD...
Friday Morning Disease...
Looking Forward to Weekend Disease...

thanks mate!

 

[Jules H-T]

Well, at my LPS, you don't get to choose which fish you get. You walk up to the counter, say "I want a Schwartzi Cory," and they say, "Which one is that/" and you say, "The one with the band across the eyes like a tiny silver/black racoon," and then you hope for the best.

I'd not be having that. I'm happy for the shop to net one, but I expect to be given approval before the bag leaves the tank.

 

[soritan]

Lucky you.

It's kind of sad, to know more than your two local Pet Stores.... but it is as it is, right?

 

[ey2006]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, most LFS will net the fish for you, but thats because they assume you want them to! If you ask kindly if you could net it yourself, most of the time they would let you, though they might be observing you while doing so.

In anycase, it is just so hard to pick a neon without NTD, its easy picking a healthy neon with the usual characteristics like the fastest moving one, the one that swims with the school etc.

I read somewhere before if the neon is still swimming non stop when the lights are out at night, then that neon has NTD, but you can never expect to carry out this experiment at a LFS!

 

[jarmado]

i am thankful that you brought out this subject because i was also looking into getting some neons..
i guess i am changing my mind now..

 

[annka5]

If they look healthy, and the store is reputable, then thats all you can really go on. Try asking how long the shop has had them in for, that might help.
I'm not wholly convinced by the heory that LOADS of neons have NTD; often it sounds from the way people talk that it's like 90% of them. I'm not saying that it doesn't exist, but that if you really like neons and can provide what they need, then go ahead and get them.

 

[steelhealr]

Neon tetras are just amazing to look at when they are in large schools> However, despite their easy availability and small size, neons are NOT what I would call hardy fish. This is ofttime posted in threads on 'myths of fishkeeping'. Once established, they can do rather well. But they are not up there on the super easy to keep list during their early acclimation periods. SH

 

[annka5]

I agree that they aren't hardy fish and I wasn't trying to imply that they are; however, causes of death or illness is not always NTD. I just don't believe that NTD is as frequently occuring as sometimes seems to be suggested.

 

[Jules H-T]

but it is as it is, right?

Not at all, it is how you make it.

If you have criteria by which you would like it chosen, tell them what the criteria is. Even if you just say "I don't want that sickly one that's hanging about alone/listing badly to starboard/got droopy fins/is dead. Please could you go for a more active one from the main pack" or something like that.

When they net a fish, you just say "Hang on two secs whilst I have a look at him". If you don't like the one you've got, tell them you want a different one.

I'd be very surprised to hear any objections. Have you actually tried it and been refused?

 

[ey2006]

Thanks for the replies.

I agree with steelhealr, neons do look absolutely amazing in large schools, probably not as colourful as cardinals though.

However, I have had a bad experience with cardinals recently and lost most of them for some unknown reason, I lost 10 cardinals in the space of 2 weeks and in the whole process, I only actually lost 1 neon!

So annka5 is probably right about the fact that neons are not susceptible to NTD as many would think.

I don't mind losing a few neons if I was to purchase another 10 or so, but definitely wouldn't want to lose any of the existing fish because of NTD.

I have also read that cardinals are IMMUNE to NTD - is this true?

 

[annka5]

I don't think cardinals get NTD, as they're a different species.