neons swimming funny

sinthesis · 11-14-2012, 02:44 AM

I know it's been addressed here before but I didn't see many solutions in the posts I found so I wanted to ask again...

I have 10 neon tetras, and at least 1 has something wrong with it. He's swimming with his nose pointed at a downward angle, kind of twitching along instead of swimming fluidly. His stomach is big and round. I say at least 1 because there are a couple I'm not sure if they're starting to do this or if I'm being paranoid. I just got back from a trip so I didn't see this develop.

He's not white, his scales look fine, the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are great. He and all of my fish are eating fine, and all of their color is bright.

I guess I'd like to know what he has, how to treat him, and if I possibly have to euthanize to avoid losing all of them. I don't have a hospital tank (I don't know where I'd even put one.)

Also, if he's sick, will it spread to other species---I have harlequin rasboras, albino cories, and upside down cats.

kkoch · 11-14-2012, 02:56 AM

how long have they been in the tank? I lost 5 in 2 days. one guy on the forum said it might be PH.

sinthesis · 11-14-2012, 03:03 AM

They've been in there since I started the tank 5 months ago.

I know my pH is high, I have hard water.

Sorry for your loss

Were yours swimming like mine are?

kkoch · 11-14-2012, 02:30 PM

Yes, a few were swimming at a downward angle.

sinthesis · 11-16-2012, 03:40 AM

Read something about feeding them peas, so I did that. But I'm not sure I see him anymore. It's hard to count them but I'm really only counting 9, not 10. Just as long as none of my others get sick...

Exie · 11-16-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are great

define great?

Diana · 11-16-2012, 02:13 PM

Swollen abdomen could be internal parasites. I would us a wormer, even if the one is dead. Internal parasites can live in the fish for a while, then leave the fish to spread to the others so the parasites are in the tank. If you can kill the parasites before the fish are showing severe symptoms the fish will be better able to recover.

pH is not the thing to go by. Keep fish that are suited to the GH of the water you have, or alter the water to suit the fish you want to keep.
Neon Tetras have been bred in captivity for so long they can handle a much wider range of conditions than their wild ancestors, but it is still better to keep them in somewhat softer water.

Kitsune_Gem · 11-16-2012, 06:50 PM

One of the ones I have has been doing what I call 'the death spin' for the last week. Hes an odd fish.

Id say as long as yours is still eating you should be okay.

11-14-2012, 02:44 AM	#1
sinthesis Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 123	neons swimming funny I know it's been addressed here before but I didn't see many solutions in the posts I found so I wanted to ask again... I have 10 neon tetras, and at least 1 has something wrong with it. He's swimming with his nose pointed at a downward angle, kind of twitching along instead of swimming fluidly. His stomach is big and round. I say at least 1 because there are a couple I'm not sure if they're starting to do this or if I'm being paranoid. I just got back from a trip so I didn't see this develop. He's not white, his scales look fine, the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are great. He and all of my fish are eating fine, and all of their color is bright. I guess I'd like to know what he has, how to treat him, and if I possibly have to euthanize to avoid losing all of them. I don't have a hospital tank (I don't know where I'd even put one.) Also, if he's sick, will it spread to other species---I have harlequin rasboras, albino cories, and upside down cats.

11-16-2012, 06:50 PM	#8
Kitsune_Gem Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Livermore, Ca Posts: 500	One of the ones I have has been doing what I call 'the death spin' for the last week. Hes an odd fish. Id say as long as yours is still eating you should be okay. __________________ "And 5, very important 5... Don't let me eat pears.. I HATE PEARS."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-14-2012, 02:56 AM	#2
kkoch Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 103	how long have they been in the tank? I lost 5 in 2 days. one guy on the forum said it might be PH.

11-14-2012, 03:03 AM	#3
sinthesis Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 123	They've been in there since I started the tank 5 months ago. I know my pH is high, I have hard water. Sorry for your loss Were yours swimming like mine are?

11-14-2012, 02:30 PM	#4
kkoch Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Kenosha, WI Posts: 103	Yes, a few were swimming at a downward angle.

11-16-2012, 03:40 AM	#5
sinthesis Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Louisiana Posts: 123	Read something about feeding them peas, so I did that. But I'm not sure I see him anymore. It's hard to count them but I'm really only counting 9, not 10. Just as long as none of my others get sick...

11-16-2012, 02:13 PM	#7
Diana Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Contra Costa CA Posts: 5,013	Swollen abdomen could be internal parasites. I would us a wormer, even if the one is dead. Internal parasites can live in the fish for a while, then leave the fish to spread to the others so the parasites are in the tank. If you can kill the parasites before the fish are showing severe symptoms the fish will be better able to recover. pH is not the thing to go by. Keep fish that are suited to the GH of the water you have, or alter the water to suit the fish you want to keep. Neon Tetras have been bred in captivity for so long they can handle a much wider range of conditions than their wild ancestors, but it is still better to keep them in somewhat softer water.