neon tetra problems

Question
------------------------- Hi again,  So you think it is NTD? Or are unsure.
It sure is hard to diagnose and again the guys at Big Al's seem to think that domestically raised neons don't get it.(Not sure if they know any more or as much as I do from all my reading. )They seem to think that because of the local water conditions the neons are just  severely stressed as they get older and the immune systems are fragile.They say they go through selling hundreds of neons a week at the store.
The neon that has been separated for the last week seems to have lost a number of scales even though he has been separated and alone.
I did put him back in the tank with his kin but they so far have been beating him up and he has hidden.
I always thought neons were gentle but I see they have a dark side too. As a group they also killed another neon a few months ago after she had recovered from popeye in a Q tank. She seemed ok all day but had completely disappeared by the morning-- no skelton either.
I guess I will stick with hardier tetras in the future. here's hoping the rest of the tank stays unaffected.
Julie

Followup To
Question -
one neon has had tail rot for months despite treating with various meds. She has lumps at the base of her tail and recently had a large cyst on her side that has ruptured. 2 other tetras were fine until a small but aggressive female betta was put into the tank. one had part of his tail torn downwards and a couple of bites out of his side, the other had what looked like scales missing.  The one with the damaged tail has various white grey areas on him that appear to be variably improving. Lumps are now developing at the base of his tail.
The 3rd neon has whitish patches just at the base of his tail,but they look different than the other neons whitish areas. These look to be under the skin like a scar.
these guys are in a 20 gal community tank. Water parameters are all at 0. the tank is almost 1 year old. Other occupants are 1 docile female betta, 2 glowlight tetras, 4 black skirts ,1 male guppy and 2 SAE's. Water changes are done every 2 weeks. Our water is very hard at 12 and our ph out of the tap is about 8.5.
All tetras are active and eating well despite the issues they are having. Does this sound like neon tetra disease? I am hoping not. My LFS says it is very rare now -a- days.
other wise I do not know what to make of these problems. I have tried Maroxyl, meleuca and good old aquarium salt . Sickest fish is separated and is given 90 % water change ever othe day. he seems to get better- then I put him back into the tank and then the patches start again.
Any help is appreciated. thank you
Julie
Answer -
Hi Julie;

I had an entire school of 9 neons with it and I now have 2 left. They slowly developed symptoms and died over a period of a year. I am told it is a virus, so the best thing to do is keep the tank as clean as possible. Water changes lower the nitrates. Nitrates build up and cause stress to their immune sytems. You can have it tested at your local fish store. Remember to ask for the NitrAte test, not the NitrIte test. They are commonly confused.

The sick ones might be best off in the hospital tank until they appear recovered and make more frequent water changes in the big tank while they get better. Once or twice a week remove 25% of the water while vacuuming the gravel. Feed less food too if you find that nitrates are high. They should be at 40 ppm or less. 20 ppm or less is even better.

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

Come on over and join us on the freshwater fish forum at About.com to get even more information too;
http://forums.about.com/ab-freshaquaria/start

My member name is ChrisR62. See You There!

Answer
Hi Julie;

I'm really not sure about NTD in your fish I guess. I can't agree that it is rare though. I have seen it many times in recent years in domestically bred fish. Here is an article about it with good info;
http://freshaquarium.about.com/cs/disease/p/neondisease.htm

Just keep him separated if he seems weaker than the rest. I too have seen a few neons get pretty nasty. Weird.

Followups welcome

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins

Come on over and join us on the freshwater fish forum at About.com to get even more information too;
http://forums.about.com/ab-freshaquaria/start

My member name is ChrisR62. See You There!