The Puffer Forum

Not sure if this should be in the hospital section since its not a puffer, but not sure where else to put this.

I have a neon tetra swimming around funny. Seems to have problems with equilibrium. Seems to want to float belly up, then rights itself. Still swimming around alot, and eating with vigor. Just wondering what this might be, if its on its last fins, and if I should think about putting him down to stop the suffering.

Parameters, pH 7.7, ammonia 0, nitrites 0 nitrates 15ppm, 10 gallon tank. Had this tetra for the last 4 months now with the rest of his school, 7 total, no one else has the same symptoms. One singapore shimp added to the tank recently, but it died within 2 days, and was removed immediately. I dont know if the death of that shrimp and now the sickness of this tetra is an outline to another problem in my tank. Water change schedule is a 30% change every week, products being used is stress coat, and leaf zone fertilizer (its a planted aquarium), also has CO2. No fish are gasping for air.

What does your water conditioner say? Have you been using aquarium salt? Have you tried testing your tap water?

Tap water pH is almost the same as the aquarium, 7.8 or so. What do you mean by what does the conditioner say? I forget what the other parameters of my tap water is, I'll test when I get home from work today. I have not used any aquarium salt. All I have is marine salt, and its been for my other tank, none of it has been in this one at all.

It probably isn't that, but I would consider adding aquarium salt. It isn't really necessary in FW tanks, but it helps me a lot.

Consider trying to lower your PH a bit too, Tetras and most freshwater puffers seem to come from 'Blackwater' or 'Clearwater' systems where the water is more acidic and fairly soft.

To be honest though, Neon Tetras have very poor breeding. I lost 2 black neons for absolutely no reason, they just stopped eating and died.

Thanks for the replies....I have not had a chance to test the water yet, will do so in a bit. More so out of curiosity.

For some strange reason, my tetras are doing super well....except for this one. I'll let you know what I find out when I find out

WalkingTarget wrote: To be honest though, Neon Tetras have very poor breeding.

Agreed.

It could be a swimbladder problem: http://www.fishfriend.com/articles/the_ ... sease.html