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Does anybody here have actual experience of NTD?

One of my neons has, for a few months now, had a pale fading to the red coloured part of the body. Its only on one side, is patchy, and has not blistered/formed into lumps at all. There is no other discolouration to the dorsal fin etc, and it does not affect its swimming, eating or interaction with the rest of the group. Could this be NTD? I ask as I have noticed another tetra has developed a small circular faded white patch on its red colour. The first fish does seem to be getting slightly bog eyed on one side. But I do mean slightly. Its almost as if you think something doesn't look quite right but you can't put your finger on it!

Could this be NTD? If not, any ideas to the malady?

x

How about some pics through Pandora's website:

[link=http://www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#NTD]http://www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#NTD" style="COLOR: #C000C0[/link]

I do know that NTD can be kept under reasonable control if fish are not stressed. If this fish does have NTD and is suddenly stressed, you may then witness some of the other signs characteristic of it.

If you were to have confirmed NTD in that tank, then only species which could not contract the condition could be added or the tank broken down and sterilized. Or, you just wait it out. I would not add fish during this time. Your other option is to quarantine him. I must admit, I have had a few of my fish after 2 years now, finally show signs of illness. One, a white cloud looked pale and was getting lumpy looking, then other things started happening. She was a wreck. I finally figured she was nearing the end of her days so I set up a quarantine and made her comfortable. A few weeks later, she fully declined and antibiotics did nothing to help her. I found a very fatty liver when I opened her up - at least that's what I think it was. The enlarged organ did not look normal, that's for sure.

But by removing her at that point, I may have saved others if she was sick in a way that was communicable.

I don't know what I would do in your case. Consider researching NTD resistant species of fish. I know cardinal tetras are among them, oddly enough.

I don't believe there is a cure for NTD, which is a sporozoan infestation, but it is often mistaken as NTD when it is actually some other type of infection. Therefore, it is recommended to treat it like an infection and provide antibiotics, preferrably on or in the food. An infection may respond, whereas an infestation would not.

its a lake of minerals i think
when i used to breed them id get that happen to a few of my females i added 3 drops of i forget the name but its for plants its an iron supplement yellow plastic bottle green label the name of which eludes me that cured it rite up n brot back the colour within 2 days
also realy helped my java ferns look better
also try a more protein rich diet live food often brings briter colours

Thanks for your replies!

I checked out that site Di and can say that they don't look at all like those shots of diseased fish (thankfully). There are a few of those neons who I have had for a couple of years now, and were medium sized when I got them, so maybe they're just conking out from old age?

I'll be fairly mortified if it is a destructive infection of NTD, as two of my favourite fish in there are tetras (Diamonds and Platinum)

Catching it doesn't seem too practical/easy, as it is a well planted up tank and I'd rather not think about chasing those wee guys round in there thrashing it up with a net yet

x

just went through one it was nasty!!

I LOVE MY 55GALLON REEF!!!!!