Neon tetra disease confirmed? - Fish for the Planted Aquarium

Curiousfluke · 05-12-2008, 06:08 PM

I just learned about NTD and one of my neons unfortunately fit the description but I wanted other opinions :/

(He was in a holding container and was hovering at the waterline.)

He's been the exact same way since I received him with 2 other "normal" neons 2 months ago... absolutely no changes in color/shape. He exhibits normal schooling behavior and even out swims the others sometimes when they have little "races". He's also been eating normally. Other than the coloration and the dip in his spine (I might be seeing things, but that's what I see in the picture) he's acting just like any normal fish.

Could it be old age or something (since they are caught in the wild you never really know how old they are)? If it is NTD should I cull him and keep the others since they look healthy? How long does it take for NTD to actually kill the fish?

Afyounie · 05-12-2008, 07:02 PM

These fish actually come from nurseries in asia and around the world. There is no cure for NTD, as you probably know. My neon tetras have gotten the disease, and really it is far too hard to catch them in such a densely planted tank. My school went from 30 to about 10, and I can't do anything about it. I would just watch the little guy, and if he starts showing worse signs, then take him out and euthanize him. Hopefully your other fish won't get the disease.

gibmaker · 05-13-2008, 10:37 AM

I am not sure if that is NTD. I have had my neons get this and it usually starts at the dorsal or at the base of the dorsal fin almost looks like it is rotting away, and no it is not fin rot. After a while they will produce white cysts on their body that will open and send whatever causes NTD into the water. I had about 40 of them and I went down to about 10 in a few weeks. The disease can be passed along to other fish, but not all species. For that very reason I only buy cardinal tetras for they are immune to this disease.....go figure?