What is wrong with one of my cardinal Tetras?

PattyCakes81

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Jun 26, 2010
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Patricia
What is wrong with one of my cardinal Tetras? This tetra was always the small one. I thought he was the weak one. I see that he does eat and is active. Is it that neon tetra disease? Do I need to euthanize him in order to prevent the others from getting it?
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Thanks,
Patricia

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At this stage, I would leave him. As there do not appear to be any external sores, etc, this could be a genetic issue or caused by some other stress in the past. Curvature of the spine is in most cases not transferrable. I have had this in fish over the years, and I only remove the fish when it becomes too difficult for the fish to swim and eat.

Byron.
 
I agree with Byron. It could be nothing, but it's also possible that it could be NTD or false NTD. Is this a newly acquired fish? For now just monitor very closely. If it starts to have trouble swimming or staying level I would remove it immediately.

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At this stage, I would leave him. As there do not appear to be any external sores, etc, this could be a genetic issue or caused by some other stress in the past. Curvature of the spine is in most cases not transferrable. I have had this in fish over the years, and I only remove the fish when it becomes too difficult for the fish to swim and eat.

Byron.
Okay I will leave him in the tank. There isn't any external sores or growths. He was very small and thin. I think he is the lowest in the ranks.
I agree with Byron. It could be nothing, but it's also possible that it could be NTD or false NTD. Is this a newly acquired fish? For now just monitor very closely. If it starts to have trouble swimming or staying level I would remove it immediately.

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He is not a newly acquired fish. Got them all together last year in August.


Since Tetras are schooling fish, you guys think it would be stressed out if I put him in a breeder box (has per my other posts I have no other tank) and feed him separately for awhile?


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I think he would be stressed if he was separated. If he stays with the group and is social then it might be a physical deformity and not a sickness if he has always been that way. I have heard with other schooling species that if they are sick they will isolate themselves, not sure how true this is for Neons though.
 
I also agree, not to isolate this fish. If this is genetic as most of us seem to suspect, the fish will not recover so it is best left with the others. Sometimes this can remain like this for months; other times I have seen the fish just waste away within a few weeks, having tremendous difficulty swimming and eating, and in this case I usually pull it out.
 
I have several rasboras that are...less than perfect? They have all lived happy lives! If it is not an illness then don't worry about it.
 
Agreed, if it isn't an illness leave it be. Some fish are just special :)
 
Thanks guys. He is not going anywhere. Just wanted to make sure it wasn't any disease.

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