One Tetra Neon Died, Some Of Them Look Faded

This evening one of my tetra neon died, did some quick tests. Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, don't have other test kits. Heavily planted, two Pothos plants, 45gal, cycled I believe as nitrites have been very stable at 0.

Some of the tetras look faded in color..though their movements are good.

Not sure what went wrong this time

 

Are the ones that are faded in color schooling with the rest? Or are they isolating themselves?

 

Are the ones that are faded in color schooling with the rest? Or are they isolating themselves?

They are schooling together...not really behaving like those isolated ones

 

At first I was thinking Neon Tetra Disease, but if they're still schooling together that's less likely.

 

At first I was thinking Neon Tetra Disease, but if they're still schooling together that's less likely.

The only thing that I changed this week is the water level.. earlier it was a bit empty..2 inches..I topped it up with some treated water.. the canister outlet isn't hitting the surface too hard..that? Could ve a reason?

 

A decrease in surface agitation could cause a decrease in oxygen in the water. You could add an air stone or a bubbler to regain that oxygenation. But you said your tank is heavily planted, and plants excrete oxygen. So instinctively I'm wanting to say I don't think that's the issue but if you just have a few plants it very well may be.

If this is some sort of disease or illness, it might have been dormant in your fish for some time, and is just now showing itself. Unfortunately "nothing changed this week" doesn't rule out disease or illness.

Can you post pictures of the sick neons?

 

How long have you had them? In the wild they can live for 10 years but usually around 5 in tanks however the mass bred ones you get from pet stores usually live much shorter lives & because they are mass bred in captivity can have genetic issues. Also what's your Ph & water temperature like?

 

How long have you had them? In the wild they can live for 10 years but usually around 5 in tanks however the mass bred ones you get from pet stores usually live much shorter lives & because they are mass bred in captivity can have genetic issues. Also what's your Ph & water temperature like?

Temp 82.4, ph..dont have a kit. They've been with me since 2 months

 

Fish can temporarily lose some color when they are stressed. Occasionally both my neons and black skirts lose a bit during a water change. As soon as they calm down they color right back up.

That temp is actually too high for neon tetras. That could very well be what is stressing them out.

 

Temp 82.4, ph..dont have a kit. They've been with me since 2 months

OK, 82.4 is too hot for Neons they like cooler water around the low to mid 70F mark, they also like soft slightly acidic water, they will tolerate higher temps & Ph but it will shorten their lifespan.

 

If it shortens their lifespan that means they aren't tolerating it (because it kills them).

 

If it shortens their lifespan that means they aren't tolerating it (because it kills them).

I meant it doesn't kill them immediately like a high ammonia spike would but will shorten their lives by making them less resilient to disease etc. due to prolonged stress, so yes, they do tolerate it for a time until it eventually kills them.

 

I'd call death the most extreme adverse reaction possible. So the way I see things that's totally at the opposite end of the scale to tolerating.

 

I'd call death the most extreme adverse reaction possible. So the way I see things that's totally at the opposite end of the scale to tolerating.

Well OK, whatever, guess we'll just have to agree to differ.