One Eyed Neon Tetra Died

[x_leanne_x]

Hi, I got 10 neon tetras on thursday, all were fine until sunday, when I noticed 1 only had one eye. He was still swimming around and eating and interacting with the other fish and I think he may only have had one eye when I got him. However, when I came in from work this mornin he was dead I watched the others for ages but they seem to be fine. However, when I woke up about an hour ago I noticed that I've now got an artificial plant with white "fluff" growing on it, which wasn't there at 6.30am. I can't get a decent picture of it and I'm just heading into town to speak to the LFS but I wondered if any of you have ever experienced this white "fluff", what it is and how I treat it?! My pH also seems to have risen but I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

Tank size: 54L
pH: 8.0
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5
kH: 3
gH: 10
tank temp: 26°

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): absolutely none

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25% weekly (only done once, only had fish for 5 days!)

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: no chemical additives

Tank inhabitants: 10 (now 9) neon tetras

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): as above

Exposure to chemicals: none

Anyone any ideas?

 

[x_leanne_x]

I've now got white fluff "floating" so I'm assuming that the one eyed fish had whitespot and it has now made the 2nd stage which means I can treat it, I'm going to try and get a picture because I don't want to be treating something I haven't got!

 

[Spooky76]

Im no expert, but I wouldnt treat for white spot. It doesnt sound like white spot. They are usually small white dots attached to the fish, until the multiply in the water again, but you cant see them.

The white fluff is an odd one really. Is it like cotton wool stuck to your plant ?

How long has the tank been up and running ? What were the other fish in there before the neons ? ANd are they OK ?

 

[x_leanne_x]

thanks for your reply! There were no other fish in the tank before the neons, I've spoken to the LFS and we've decided that the white "fluff" is infact just uneaten food so i've done a 75% water change and all looks well now! The tank has been running for around 4 months without fish, it was a mates but she'd waited so long for it to cycle she gave up wanting fish lol! I've got a second tank which is currently doing it's fishless cycling!

 

[Spooky76]

lol ok. What are you feeding them ?

Best to feed small ammounts more often than visa versa. Personally I wouldnt use flakes either but thats just me.

Please dont think im being an arse here, but you do know that fishless cycling isnt just leaving your tank running without fish dont you?

If its a new tank that hasnt been 'properly cycled' you need to get a water test kit, like the API one, that test ammonia nitrite and nitrate and monitor it daily.

Sorry if im telling you what you already know.

 

[x_leanne_x]

I am using flakes just now but I think I'll change to something else!

I don't think you're being an arse at all lol! thanks for your advice! yeah I know about fishless cycling, I've got the API testing kit and I'm testing both tanks every day!

 

[Spooky76]

OK Sorry

Yeh try the tetra pro crisp range, ive found them very good, dont go as gooey...and the fish seem to love them.

You could also try giving them a 'diet' day, say once a week dont feed them for 24 hours it wont harm them