Should I euthanise?

[Catfish586]

This poor cardinal tetra has had some sort of white lump on its tail recently and has started swimming erratically. I checked parameters: no issues. I treated the tank with anti-internal bacteria because I've already had two deaths. I isolated the fish because I didn't want the others eating it if it died, thus further spreading infection. However it's clearly not well or happy - swimming erratically or laying down and will undoubtedly be stressed in isolation. Should I admit defeat and kindly euthanise with clove oil?

 

[Gertrudae]

Yes, I think this ist the kindest way to treat the poor thing. Had the other fish also this white lump?

 

[Catfish586]

Yes, I think this ist the kindest way to treat the poor thing. Had the other fish also this white lump?

The second death did - also some dropsy. The first was out of the blue and seemed to have a slightly curved spine after death, but I'd not noticed that before. There's clearly been some sort of outbreak so I'm hoping this is the end of it

 

[emeraldking]

Time to treat the tank.

 

[Back in the fold]

I never can outright kill a fish . That’s just me . It bothers my conscience to do it . I let them die naturally in their own time . There’s no right or wrong here about that and the topic has been debated ad nauseum many times here on The Great TFF Forum .

 

[Catfish586]

Time to treat the tank.

But what with? I don't know what the problem is. I've tried an anti- internal bacterial meds and I don't think it's caused by a treatable parasite judging from the symptoms.

 

[emeraldking]

But what with? I don't know what the problem is. I've tried an anti- internal bacterial meds and I don't think it's caused by a treatable parasite judging from the symptoms.

Well, if the cause is unkown you could try a broad band med. I'm not familair with the meds that are available overthere at your place.

 

[Innesfan]

The white bump and erratic swimming are two of the hallmark symptoms of Neon Tetra Disease for which there is no known cure. It can affect many tetra species. Isolation of affected individuals is required and euthanasia often suggested.

Regarding the other issue you mention, dropsy isn't a disease but rather a symptom that can be caused by a number of issues from constipation to internal tumors and/or organ failure, especially the kidneys. What are you feeding?

What size tank is it, what are your water parameters, and what is your water-changing regimen?

 

[Catfish586]

The white bump and erratic swimming are two of the hallmark symptoms of Neon Tetra Disease for which there is no known cure. It can affect many tetra species. Isolation of affected individuals is required and euthanasia often suggested.

Regarding the other issue you mention, dropsy isn't a disease but rather a symptom that can be caused by a number of issues from constipation to internal tumors and/or organ failure, especially the kidneys. What are you feeding?

What size tank is it, what are your water parameters, and what is your water-changing regimen?

Yes I'd started to fear it was the dreaded NTD: partly the reason I isolated the fish. I've been feeding a mix of food flakes, micro granules and occasional frozen bloodworm or freeze dried daphnia, with occasional cucumber or brocolli mainly for the plec. It's a 100L tank and I change 20-30L every fortnight. Current parameters Ammonia 0, Ph. 6.4, Carbonate Hardness 3, General hardness 8, Nitrate 0 or almost 0 and Nitrite 0 . Thank you.

 

[Gertrudae]

isolated the fish

If you mean the plastic cage in your aquarium, then that is not isolation. Isolation would require a quarantine tank so that the fish are not in the same water.

 

[Catfish586]

If you mean the plastic cage in your aquarium, then that is not isolation. Isolation would require a quarantine tank so that the fish are not in the same water.

it's isolated in the sense that I didn't want other fish eating it if it died, thus spreading infection that way. I was actually advised against setting up a quarantine tank by my local aquarists on grounds that whatever the disease is it will already be in the whole aquarium, and that isolating fish in that way is rarely effective and even more stressful for them. I'd imagine there's a spectrum of opinions on this though.

 

[Gertrudae]

An infected fish will spread germs before it dies.

If you place the sick fish in a quarantine tank, you can reduce the number of germs in your main tank by changing the water frequently.

 

[Catfish586]

Update: the poor fish is now lying down and doesn't look at all well.

 

[Boundava]

Clove oil is what I use to euthanize fish. Couple drops in a zip-top bag with appropriate amount of tank water (depending on fish size), close the bag and shake it to dispense the oil (water should be cloudy) then drop the fish in. Keep any aquarium tools away from the oil or tools. Low doses don't kill but cause drowsiness, higher doses put fish to sleep then it stops breathing.
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