Neon Deaths

[FishLover66]

Hi all. I've been very disappointed with the heartiness of my Neon Tetras. I thought they were pretty hardy, but I've lost one per month for no apparent reason. They just start to swim funny for a day or two and then die. I've decided that I'm not going to replace them again and just see how long the remaining ones last. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had th is problem with Neons.

 

[KCB]

I have heard that neons aren't very hardy. I've had neons several times and they've never lasted very long, though I'm not sure if its them or my poor fish keeping skills at the time

 

[xXKratosXx]

Is your tank cycled? What are your water parameters? I have kept neons in the past in well established tanks with never a problem.

How often do you do water changes?
How often do you change your filter pads?
When was the last time you tested for ammonia and nitrites?

 

[FishLover66]

Hi, my aquarium has been up and running for a year--definitely established. Parameters are good.. zero ammonia and nitrites. pH runs around 6.0-6.4 and nitrates are nowhere near the danger zone. I vacuum my tank once per week and change approximately 30% of the water with fresh tap--treated with dechlorinator.

My first batch was very hardy, but then we had a bout of very heat and med resistant ich and because the treatment was so prolonged, four of the six originals didn't make it. The next batch I got just doesn't seem as hearty. I bought them for a $1 each at Petsmart and 1/2 of them had missing gill guards (or whatever you call them).

I rinse the filter materials once per week in the dirty aquarium water (after vacuuming).

 

[fluttermoth]

Neons do seem to be very hard to keep these days. I think, out in the Far East, where they're breed in the millions, they're not very careful choosing their breeding stock.

I know I and a few people I know, all knowledgeable fishkeepers, have stopped trying to keep them altogether in the last few years.

I keep green neons now, which are much hardier, although they still don't do well in new tanks.

 

[techen]

Man when I had neons I lost 3 rather quickly. From then on I've never kept them and avoided them. I don't believe there as hardy as people think they are.

 

[DrSlackBladder]

I got my first neons just over a week ago; fingers crossed! Will let you know how I get on!

 

[FishLover66]

I think it may have something to do with where you buy them. If you get them from overseas hatcheries, they may not be as hearty. I think I'll just avoid them going forward and try something else. I do like the green neons, but I can never find them. I do still have six of them, so hopefully they will last for some time.