Hello

well, one of my 13 neons is sick... like MAJORLY sick and im freaking out because I dont want to lose all of them! they're pretty big (over 1") and I've had them for 4-5 months. they are in a 10Gal with 2 white cloud minnows, 2 angelfish, an apple snail, a dwarf frod and 2 swordfish.

water is oKish
pH: 7.0 steady
temp: 81-82
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: THRU THE ROOF! (I changed the water MAJORLY everyday since it got like this 2-3days)
Nitrite: no idea...

regardless of this, my fish are doing good. but I've no idea what my little sick guy has! He is currently quaranteened in a little container with meds and a bit of salt. He's still breathing but sitting bellyup, looks really pale.

here are some pics:

http://emilieanne.multiply.com/photos/photo/23/1
http://emilieanne.multiply.com/photos/photo/23/2
http://emilieanne.multiply.com/photos/photo/23/3

I guess, I kinda already know he's too sick to live... im just worried about my other fish!! please help! what can I do??? I dont know if this is neon tetra disease or velvet or something. on the 3rd pic, you see the kinda velvety protrusion... I dunno if thats specific to something...

emilieanne

ok, well... he died...

but could someone help me to know what this is exactly? and should I treat the tank with maracel meds to help?? how can I save my other fish??

How long was he lying like this and did you notice him being pale a few days before he died? I dont know exactly what killed it but neons are very sensitive to water quality so do 50% twice a day to bring your nitrates down. What are the nitrates from the tap?
It looks like NTD but it could be false NTD. Lower the temp to 78 for now and keep an eye on the others.

well, I gotta say, I dont really inspect each one of my fish everyday. I actually only saw him like that about 4hours ago, I caught him (stressssssssssss) and put him in the other container and since then we wa just kinda upside down traumatised!
also... I dont know how to change the temp on my heater!!!! its horrible! cause I wouldnt have left it at that high

ugh, im such a failiure

Sorry that you lost a fish.My guess is with your tank being so overstocked,it was poor water quality.What was your actual reading for Nitrates,and how much water/how often were you changing it out?

nitrates were around 100. and Im changing about 45-50% everyday

If nitrates are reading that every day then you need to do more changes each day. If you are still getting 100 each day with two 50% water changes then theres something wrong with either your test kit or the water being piped in has really high nitrates.
Test from a clean glass straight from your tap.
Nitrates that high can kill sensitive fish

OK, I'll check my tap water!

but does anyone know if this is Neon Tetra Disease and should I medicate my tank or do anything else for my other neons (who are still in good shape and bright and bubbly)??

thanks

emilieanne

It's really hard to say for sure,especially when your Nitrates are so high.That little guy may have just had a lower immune system,and the high continued Nitrates may have done him in. If All the other fish look healthy,I would Get your param levels in order,and then that's one less thing to rule out. ,and just go from there.Try and watch over the tank for any other fish with symptoms. It's really all about good water quality.

tap's nitrates are 0
and now my tank's nitrates are about 7
and all my other babies are lookin' good!
I put a couple drops of Maracide in there anyways.

hope everything goes well!

As long as the nitrates dont get above 20 then the tank is fine. Keep up the good work

I would look into getting a bigger tank as well. With that many fish and the apple snail I would get at least a 20 gallon tank, maybe a 29 if you have the room and cash. Apple snails are messier than goldfish, they need about five gallons per snail and the neon tetras get 1 inch long, meaning that if you have 12 left (using the tropical rule 1 inch of adult fish = 1 gallon) you need 17 gallons just for them. Add in the two minnows and the angels, frog and swordfish....

I say you should leave the frog int he 10 gallon by himself (I don't know much about them but I hear they are messy little buggers) and see about putting everyone else in a bigger tank. It will help your water quality battle. The overcrowded tank might be causing stress to the fish making them get sick easier.