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I think two of my Neon Tetras show signs of ich. One of the tetras red stripe is fading away, and the second one seems to have a small white spot. People say to quarantine the infected fish, but I don't have another tank with a filter, and all the necessary equipment. What should I do?

I read once ich is introduced to a tank, it is hard to get rid of. Also I've read one of the signs is bloating. I see one Neon that looks as though it is bloated, but it doesn't have any white spots. Maybe it eats too much? I have no clue what I should do. I don't notice them scratching its body against rocks or ornaments.

Also is it true the only way they can be infected is eating the dead fish spores?

Please Help.

Thanks in advance.

Last edited by manix at 25-Sep-2004 00:14

Ich is a parasite. Inproper or incomplete treatment is what allows it to continue in a tank. It's not "spread" so much as the same stress factors that effect one fish will effect all the fish in the tank.

If you're treating for ich, you need to make sure you fully follow the directions and treat for the full ammount of time said in the directions....do NOT stop just because the spots seem to dissapear. This is when the cysts are falling off the fish and can actually be killed by the meds.

^_^

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What do you suggest I use to treat it?

Should I treat the entire tank? since I have no spare tanks to isolate them.

I have 3 African Dwarf Frogs, 1 Singapore Shrimp, and 8 Fancy Guppies. Will the treatment be bad for any of them?

Ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis) is a parasite that goes through stages. Heres a good article to help you:
http://www.aquamaniacs.net/ich.html

But it sounds to me like NTD (Neon Tetra Disease) (Pleistophora hyphessobryconis). It does not only affect neons, thats just the fish it usually is transported by. Heres and article on NTD:http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/neondisease.htm, OK now NTD is a spore, while ick is a parasite read both articles and see which one you think your fish have.
And what size tank, and what kind and how many fish are in it?

Last edited by fish legend at 25-Sep-2004 00:18

YES!!!!!! The shrimp WILL die!!!!! Most medications use copper and copper is deadly to invertibrates. And ich medications are known to have copper.

Thanks guys for the quick reply.

Thanks fish legend for the links. I have 11 Neons in their along with other fishes I mentioned above. They are in a 40 gallon tank. I change my water every 2 weeks and change my filter cartridge every 3 weeks.

I have skimmed through the links you provided and so far it seems to be NTD not ich. The color is fading away. The one Neon I mentioned that has a white spot is probably on its way to fading. That is probably why it looks like a spot.

It says their is no known cure... I guess I can try to reduce stress and see what happens.

Last edited by manix at 25-Sep-2004 00:40

NTD will spread and kill all the fish in the tank.

If you suspect NTD the fish should be removed and euthanized.

Sorry to put it bluntly, but NTD is common, one reason why all fish, not only neons need to be quarentined prior to being placed in the tank.

^_^

R.I.P. my fishies.

Yeah Babel is right, it is a MAJOR KILLER i havn't heard of a medicine or anything to help fish wish NTD. So best thing to do is put the ones to sleep that you think have it NOW!!!! Cause the longer the more chance of other fish gettin it. And i am sorry bout this, . I hate bein the bearer of bad news. Thats why i stay away from neons, they are inbred and deformed ect. I always get cardinals if i want the look. Good luck.
-Matt

And yourwelcome for the links, i hope your fish don't have it but it sounds like they do. And i hope your shimp will be ok. I don't know if it is susceptiable to NTD. You might try askin on the invert forum if you want to know.

Definetly remove both neons with signs of sickness. Keep a close eye on any other fish who show signs. You may want to do a good water change after removing the sick fish, it may help.
You could try the addition of some melafix.
The shrimp could be easily removed while treating the fish, just pop em into any container with aquarium water an air stone, and perhaps their favorite plant/stick/ decoration etc. Easy enough to keep the shrimp safe until they can return to their home. Just place them back in the main tank after a 2-3 water changes following complete treatment.
After treating any kind of medication fully, I usually wait 2-3 days, then do a 50% water change, followed by another 30% water change in a couple of days, and a third one a week later, just to make sure any harmful meds are removed before returning unsafe fish to the main tank or quarantine tank.
Good luck!
Use clove oil to euthanize any sick fish. It is available at any pharmacy, just ask at the counter. It is just 3-4 dollars if that, and you mix it in a small container (a shot glass works well) 1 part clove oil to 2-3 parts water. Stir well and pop fish in. Death is gentle and quick, fish just slip off to sleep.



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