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I have 8 black neons and 11 regular neons in my 75 gallon. I've had the black neons since early november and just got the regular neons about a week and a half ago. Today, standing about 10 feet away from my tank, I noticed that one of my black neons didn't look right.

Sure enough, on closer inspection I noticed a thin whiteish band around his body before his dorsal fin. From that point back to his tail he almost looks like he's molting, like a lizard would. It's not as horrible as I'm making sound, but he's definitely got something. Even his dorsal fin is whitish and looking a bit unusual, almost ragged at the very top.

I have no experience with NTD and can't seem to find exact descriptions of what it looks like. Does it even effect black neons? Tank paremeters are all normal and this tank has been established for months now. All the other neons appear to be in perfect health. This is a new one to me.

Last edited by Rewd at 15-Jan-2005 17:51

Is the dorsal fin is clouding, and if you see a white filmy appearance (you say he is shedding), then I would suspect a columnaris infection.

Can you pull him out of the 75 and into a smaller tank or rubbermaid bin with an airstone, heater (or keep in a warm room), fake plant? If so, I would put him in a container of at least 5 gallons, using 100% water from his tank. Transfer him as soon as you can after the water so he doesn't experience any temp change (low stress).

Dilute one dose of salt, like Doc Wellfish Freshwater Aquarium Salt (see the back) and dribble some of the solution in - starting with about 1/3 when you transfer him, then dribbling throughout the day, leaving some for the next morning (gradually increases salinity). This is good not only to slightly hinder the infection, but moreso to replace electrolytes lost through the wound and prevent osmotic imbalance. Here's what I do: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/di_kor/album?.dir=/e30b.

Any time columnaris is suspected it is wise to keep temp below 77F. But, only drop temp by 1-1.5F daily so you do not risk ich.75 would be a good target.

Columnaris not only strikes the mouth as "mouth fungus", it can affect the caudal area near the tail fin, the dorsal fin, hence, "saddleback lesion". Look carefully to see if you notice a red, thinline border at the fringe of any of the white. If so, then all the more likely it is columnaris.

Use something like Fungus Clear Tank Buddies, or Maracyn. If he is badly infected and you use Maracyn, use Maracyn 2 along with it as he may have developed a secondary infection by now.

While NTD happens, other infections may initially appear to be NTD. NTD is not treatable, columnaris is. Therefore, rather than assume NTD, treat for potential infection and see if it clears. Either way, it is not good for him, nor the other fish for him to expire in the tank. They will cannibalize him, and have a greater chance of catching what he has themselves.

NTD also brings about erratic swimming. They lose muscle in the white areas and it affects the central nervous system. It is difficult for them to swim a straight line, rather it looks more like a panicky whirl.

Here are some pics to help show NTD.

http://www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#NTD

I would watch the tank for any others with suspicious lesions or appearance and transfer as well.

Hope this helps. Any chance you could get some pics?


Last edited by Cory_Di at 15-Jan-2005 22:22