blorkiemom
Aquarium Advice Freak
I'm usually over in the SW forums, but I've got a problem with my small FW tank and I could use some honest advice. I've got a 10-gallon tank (specs below) and I've got a sick neon tetra. Here's the story: about 2 months ago I first lost a dwarf flame gourami (stopped eating, died three days later) and a few days later 2 of the tetras got white spots. I thought it was ich so I treated with rid-ich--no change. One fish had one spot on his tail; he's still got that spot, but it hasn't spread and doesn't seem to bother him. The other fish had several raised spots on his sides and mostly tail. They aren't fuzzy and they don't change; they are also larger than I would expect from ich. Anyway, after the rid ich, I tried melafix but 4 days in, the spottier one got worse so I switched to maracyn (thinking it was a fungus). No change. I did 10 days with melafix after--no change. That was all I knew how to do, so I've just been watching for the last couple of weeks. He's gradually getting worse; his red is almost gone now, his fins are shredding and worst, there are white things sticking out at a couple of spots. They don't seem to be parasites--it almost looks like a little piece of white confetti. His "clear" parts are sort of blotchy, as well. He eats and has bursts of energy, but mostly hangs out alone.
At first I had ruled out neon tetra disease as at that time he had his color and was still schooling (and he doesn't look quite like the pictures). But as time goes on and nothing helps, I fear that's what it is. Does anyone have any suggestions, or is it time to end it for the poor guy? I've never done that before and if that's the verdict if someone could point me to instructions I'd be very appreciative. Sorry for the long post, but I want to make sure I've done all I can before giving up.
Tank specs: 10 gallons, Penguin 125; 3 "day-glo" tetras, 3 neon tetras, 2 dwarf otos, one apple snail; temp 76; ammonia, nitrite 0; nitrates under 20; pH 7.4 (high, I know, but attempts to buffer resulted in big swings so I gave up). I change about 3 gallons a week. The tank has been running for over 2 years; it was converted from a goldfish tank to tropicals in June (kept all filter media, etc).
Thank you for any help.
At first I had ruled out neon tetra disease as at that time he had his color and was still schooling (and he doesn't look quite like the pictures). But as time goes on and nothing helps, I fear that's what it is. Does anyone have any suggestions, or is it time to end it for the poor guy? I've never done that before and if that's the verdict if someone could point me to instructions I'd be very appreciative. Sorry for the long post, but I want to make sure I've done all I can before giving up.
Tank specs: 10 gallons, Penguin 125; 3 "day-glo" tetras, 3 neon tetras, 2 dwarf otos, one apple snail; temp 76; ammonia, nitrite 0; nitrates under 20; pH 7.4 (high, I know, but attempts to buffer resulted in big swings so I gave up). I change about 3 gallons a week. The tank has been running for over 2 years; it was converted from a goldfish tank to tropicals in June (kept all filter media, etc).
Thank you for any help.