Neon tetra disease?

[toadie]

One of my 10 neon tetras seems to have NTD. His red stripe is quite pale, however, there are no other signs of the disease. He still swims well, has a great appetite, schools with the other neons, there is no visual evidence of anything unusual with any of his fins - no fin rot, etc.

I realize that I should have isolated him at the first sign of trouble, but haven't had the heart to separate him from his buddies and stress him out as the only symptom is the very pale red stripe.

Do any of you know of neons recovering from NTD? Does it sound like NTD to you, or something else? Any suggestion on what to do with him?

Stats:
29 gallon square tank
pH: 7.3
nitrates, nitrites, ammonia all at excellent levels
tank age: 4 months, but I've had the fish longer (in a different tank)
tank mates: 10 neons, 3 black skirt tetras, 5 harlequin rasboras, 2 leopard (I think) plecos, 3 corys and one mystery snail
water changes: 25-30% twice a week
biowheel filter
some live plants and some plastic

 

[WILDER]

How long has his colour be faded just to rule out stress, there is false neon tetra desease which is saddleback columnaris you can cure that if you catch it early, but i'm afraid no cure for ntd, seperate him just to be on the safe side or he will infect the whole tank, as he left the shoal and does he stay up longer than normal.

 

[WILDER]

http/freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/neondisease.htm

http/www.nippyfish.net/flexibacter.html

 

[Francis]

http/aquariumpharm.com/disease/neondisease.html
This is good.

Francis.

 

[WILDER]

Not the writer of the information below.


Pleistophora (a.k.a. Neon Tetra Disease)



Symptoms:

Pleistophora is also called Neon Tetra Disease because of its high prevalence among Neon Tetras, although it has also been reported to infect most Characins, Cichlids, Cyprinids (i.e., danios), and all the carp-like fishes. It is characterized by a loss of coloration and pale, white patches of skin, particularly the strip of skin beneath the dorsal fin. Other symptoms may include spinal curvature, emaciation, fin deterioration and erratic swimming behavior.



Cause:

The microsporidian parasite Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. Pleistophora live in the muscle tissue of infected fish and cause degeneration and wasting of the muscle. The parasites travel through the fish’s blood, quickly spreading to all areas of the body. Pleistophora not only affect the fish’s muscles but all its internal organs.



Treatment:

There is no effective cure for this illness, partly due to the fact that by the time diagnosis is confirmed the fish is too weak to be saved. If more than one fish in your aquarium succumbs to this parasite, the entire aquarium should be emptied and dissinfected. Some aquarists suggest the use of a diatom filter to trap the spores of the parasite and thus clear them from the tank.

Pleistophora can easily be mistaken for False Neon Disease, which is a bacterial infection and presents with the exact same symptoms. For this reason, it would be wise to remove the infected fish to a hospital tank (while disinfecting the main tank) and treat them with a broad spectrum antibiotic.

 

[nitro]

I have lost two fish from NTD.

Have a look at my thread from a while ago it may help.

neon tetra disease

Warning: there are dead fish pics in the link^^

 

[toadie]

Thanks for the quick responses!

The neon in question has been pale for 2 weeks - the change in coloration seemed rapid rather than gradual. If there have been any changes in his health recently, I'd say he is sometimes off in the corner by himself, but is most commonly found with the other neons - none of which seem to be losing any color or showing any signs of stress (keeping my fingers crossed).

I don't know if he's more restless at night - that isn't something I've watched for, but will keep an eye on.

Consensus seems to be to separate and treat for false neon disease, but keep in mind that it may be the real thing - is that right?

I don't have a quarantine or 'hospital' tank. Suggestions for a quick and inexpensive set-up?

Again, thanks for all help and advice. I hate to see any of my pets sick or suffering.

 

[WILDER]

I would of issolated him and give him a try on a bacteria med, the only thing is you don't want him dying in the tank, if you can't issolate him the only other thing to do is destroy him, sorry, sounds awful but he's putting the whole tank at risk.

 

[toadie]

If I decide to euthanize...
What's the most humane method?

ah geez.... I just read the link Wilder posted on methods of euthanizing fish. Dunking them into a container of ice cold water sounds the least unpleasant for the fish. I have a BS in biology and have 'dispatched' plenty of animals (hated it then, too), but never, ever a pet.

I need a quarantine tank anyway so I might look into that first, but after looking at Nitro's pics, my poor fellow is much more pale.

 

[WILDER]

I've had ntd lost the lot to it over 6 months every fish in the tank, and i had my black neons over a year and half and they got wiped out, always good to have a guarantine stroke hospital tank, you will have to get one fast, heater, bare bottom tank, a filter but don't always need it as some meds just will wipe the bacteria colony out, test kits as you have to daily water changes without a filter, clove oil and vodka to put a fish down.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=8031

 

[toadie]

Wilder (and others),
Is the vodka for the fish or for me? I may need several shots for myself before I could do the deed.

You'd recommend alcohol over a dunk in freezing cold water? Someone (was it you) posted a link, too, that recommended alka seltzer. (again something I might need for myself when all is said and done).

I hate to put the poor fellow through any pain/stress at all so anyone who has had to do the dreaded task is welcome to chime in with your best advice.

Thanks again everyone. I definetly need to get a hospital tank set up.

 

[WILDER]

For both the vodka though i can't stand the stuff, you can just use vodka if you don't have the clove oil, welcome to the board, sorry it had to be on a sad note.

 

[IMCL85]

I dont think they will.

 

[WILDER]

I dont think they will.


Sorry but i don't no what you mean.