I am starting up a 55G planted tank. Want to fill it with angels and neons. Purchased 8 neons the other day. Split them between 2 quarantine tanks. 5 died overnight. Heard they are tough to keep/get started. Does this happen quite often with neons, high mortality rate? What are recommendations for tank parameters in keeping them and getting them accustomed to new tank? I typically have higher ph around 7.8 in most tanks. Planted tank, with CO2 has been around 6.8. The planted tank has no fish yet. Thanks for any ideas.
Neon Problems
- Thread starter jfennimore
- Start date
jfennimore said:
Neons like acidic soft water. I have been keeping mine in 7.2ph 4dkh water. They seem to be tolerating it quite well even though most have died of NTD. I will probably not be getting them again because of that. Since then ive seen indications (whiteish spots in the red tail area) in just about every LFS tank in the area. I might try cardinels next unless i decide to go brackish.
I would say that your water was very different than that of the fish store and shocked the neon's. In that case if you decide to try again, Try pouring a quarter cup or so of your tank water in the bag once every 10-15 min or so for about 2-3 hours or until the water in the bag is about 50-75 your tank water. Although your ph is quite extreme. They may not live in it at all.
Or, its possible it was a new shipment and they were going to die anyway. I usually go look at the new fish on shipment day, pick out the ones i like, and wait about 2-3 days for the weakned ones to die out.
OR, it could have just been bad luck
Neon tetra disease (NTD)is a slow debilllitating disease that slowly destroys the muscle tissue of fish. Mainly affects neons but it MIGHT infect others (angels being one i think
). I wish some multi milionaire philantropist aquarium fanatic would research it better. There is no verified cure. Lots of snake oil cures though. Just horrible to watch and since i don't have the power to invent a cure, I just won't buy them again. Out of site out of mind BS I guess.
Yes, according to my reading once (NTD) white patchs and loss of color on a neon tetra is visible it's probably already too late and you will lose them.
The change in PH is also probably a factor. I usually go looking for fish a few days before I buy and any of the employees should be able to tell you when a new shipment comes in. I have had EXTREME bad luck buying fish that arrived within 24 hours...always wait a few days after shipment to purchase to weed out the weak 'uns.
On the other hand, I bought 5 Neon's 11 months ago from our "dive pet store here in town" and have not lost one. They were put in an established tank with black neon tetras with a PH at 7.4 (at the time) with a little bit of salt (one teaspoon/10 gallon). Honestly they stayed in QT cycled from the tank they would be in with snails and all came through that OK--although they are fast little guys and extremely hard to net and move!
Where are you buying the fish???
The change in PH is also probably a factor. I usually go looking for fish a few days before I buy and any of the employees should be able to tell you when a new shipment comes in. I have had EXTREME bad luck buying fish that arrived within 24 hours...always wait a few days after shipment to purchase to weed out the weak 'uns.
On the other hand, I bought 5 Neon's 11 months ago from our "dive pet store here in town" and have not lost one. They were put in an established tank with black neon tetras with a PH at 7.4 (at the time) with a little bit of salt (one teaspoon/10 gallon). Honestly they stayed in QT cycled from the tank they would be in with snails and all came through that OK--although they are fast little guys and extremely hard to net and move!
Where are you buying the fish???
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this. When you go to purchase neons try to wait at least a week after the LFS gets them and then carefully inspect them and if you see too many dead ones in the tank don't buy any from that shipment. I have had pretty good luck doing this with neons as well as most of my other fish. Good Luck
I also forgot to mention that the neons are the BIGGEST pigs when it comes to frozen bloodworms in the tank. They may need that extra protein that they just don't get from various flake food???
Just a thought due to their great colour when healthy and happy! I love these guys...they "flash" around in the dark tank for several minutes after lights out.
:dive:
Just a thought due to their great colour when healthy and happy! I love these guys...they "flash" around in the dark tank for several minutes after lights out.
:dive: