Neon tetra, discolouration at base of tail

Hello everyone in the forum.Im the proud keeper of 55 gallon aquarium.Planted too.As I was just about to set off for work,I noticed a discolouration in the base of one of my neon tetras Its feeding,swimming an doing what neons do.Water test shows Ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 5ppm.which is normal for my readings due to the live plants and the liquid fertiliser regime i follow.Below are some photos of the tetra in question.Im not sure if its disease or what.I did add 40ml of melafix as a temporary measure.

 

Not entirely sure what discolouration you are seeing tbh....

They look fine and normal to my untrained eye. Many fish have slight differences in their colouration and pattern from one to another, its what makes them unique to one another...just as humans and other animals are all different.

However...I am compelled to ask why you automatically used a medication when you have not got a confirmed issue?

You could do more damage than good, especially if the specified fish naturally looks like that and you might not have noticed it before.

Forgive my confuzzlement but if I am in any way concerned about a fish, I go for water changes, not medications first.

 

Not entirely sure what discolouration you are seeing tbh....

They look fine and normal to my untrained eye. Many fish have slight differences in their colouration and pattern from one to another, its what makes them unique to one another...just as humans and other animals are all different.

However...I am compelled to ask why you automatically used a medication when you have not got a confirmed issue?

You could do more damage than good, especially if the specified fish naturally looks like that and you might not have noticed it before.

Forgive my confuzzlement but if I am in any way concerned about a fish, I go for water changes, not medications first.

On the photos there's one neon which has whiteish patch at the point where body meets tail.I use melafix not only as treatment but also when adding new fish to the aquarium, it's never harmed anything yet.But also I was just on my way out to work so had time for water change .But my parameters seem fine anyways.thank you for your reply.

 

I definitely see it. I would quarantine that fish if it's an option. Something like that will spread quickly

 

IMO, since the white patch has formed at the base of the tail rather than at the edge of the tail fin, my guess is exterior Columnaris, a bacterial infection.
The bacteria will slowly consume the Neons body, working it's way up the body.
The disease is contagious, especially if tankmates are allowed to graze on an infected corpse.
Several months ago, one of my Filamentosas Barbs contracted the disease & eventually died. Big weekly WC's & good nutrition had no beneficial effect. No other Barb in the school of 14 got sick.
The makers of Melafix advertise its effectiveness against bacterial infections. Be a good idea to continue using it & keep us posted. I don't recommend true antibiotics for aquarium use.

 

Yes they used to call that neon tetra disease. Remove it and treat separately. And also treat the whole tank. I don’t keep neons anymore because of that.

 

IMO, since the white patch has formed at the base of the tail rather than at the edge of the tail fin, my guess is exterior Columnaris, a bacterial infection.
The bacteria will slowly consume the Neons body, working it's way up the body.
The disease is contagious, especially if tankmates are allowed to graze on an infected corpse.
Several months ago, one of my Filamentosas Barbs contracted the disease & eventually died. Big weekly WC's & good nutrition had no beneficial effect. No other Barb in the school of 14 got sick.
The makers of Melafix advertise its effectiveness against bacterial infections. Be a good idea to continue using it & keep us posted. I don't recommend true antibiotics for aquarium use.

Yes I shall keep you posted on this.thanks for advice.An thanks for your reply.Hope I can keep the little fella from getting any worse.I'll back off on the plant feeding regime while I run,this course of treatment melafix.Thanks again.I'll keep you posted. Unfortunately I've not got the choice of a quarantine tank.

 

Yes I shall keep you posted on this.thanks for advice.An thanks for your reply.Hope I can keep the little fella from getting any worse.I'll back off on the plant feeding regime while I run,this course of treatment melafix.Thanks again.I'll keep you posted. Unfortunately I've not got the choice of a quarantine tank.

You seem pretty experienced so I'm sure you'll be good to go... I would still advise finding a way to separate that one tetra but if it isn't an option then it is what it is. Keep an eye on the others, I wouldn't be worried about the other species but the other neons will be susceptible. If you see it spreading to the other fish you may not have much of a choice

 

You seem pretty experienced so I'm sure you'll be good to go... I would still advise finding a way to separate that one tetra but if it isn't an option then it is what it is. Keep an eye on the others, I wouldn't be worried about the other species but the other neons will be susceptible. If you see it spreading to the other fish you may not have much of a choice

Well after 4 days of adding melafix, the neon tetra is cured, only problem is now my corydoras catfish has developed the same bacterial infection. Roughly in the same area (body meets tail area).I'll keep on with the melafix for another week.Photos below of the corydoras.2nd photo isn't the best. Actually thought I'd got this bacterial infection beat. Obviously time will tell.

 

Well after 4 days of adding melafix, the neon tetra is cured, only problem is now my corydoras catfish has developed the same bacterial infection. Roughly in the same area (body meets tail area).I'll keep on with the melafix for another week.Photos below of the corydoras.2nd photo isn't the best. Actually thought I'd got this bacterial infection beat. Obviously time will tell.

Ah man, that sucks. If it spreads to more than 1 fish at any point I would definitely find a way to Q them. Keep us posted

 

Well after 4 days of adding melafix, the neon tetra is cured, only problem is now my corydoras catfish has developed the same bacterial infection. Roughly in the same area (body meets tail area).I'll keep on with the melafix for another week.Photos below of the corydoras.2nd photo isn't the best. Actually thought I'd got this bacterial infection beat. Obviously time will tell.

Does that corydora have an actual patch or does it look like a lump? It almost looks like a fatty gland which is common in corydoras and usually goes away on its own.

 

Ah man, that sucks. If it spreads to more than 1 fish at any point I would definitely find a way to Q them. Keep us posted

Hi everyone. Update on corydoras fluffy cotton like patches.Melafix didn't do to well after 5days of treatment.So switched over to a NT LABS, Fungus treatment, following a 7 day treatment, starting on day 1, then 3, 5 and day 7 course as directed on the bottle. Currently at day 5 and the cotton like patches seem to be going. Wasn't sure if it was a bacteria problem or what,but seems to be improving with every day which passes. Photos below aren't the best .An the neon tetra which originally had the issue is now clear.water chemistry is still ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 5-10ppm.which I'm ok with as it's a planted aquarium.