Cardinal Tetra - A Few Odd Features

As an update, JBL nitrite kit arrived today.  I do love their tests - so easy to use and read.

Hi @fcmf

When you take a reading from this, or other, JBL test kit(s), do you ensure that the bottom of the vial is fully in contact with the colour chart, do you tilt it or do you lift it slightly away from the colour chart? I don't have a JBL test kit at hand but I think the first of these options is the correct one, isn't it? When I do water tests, I always get a second opinion from my wife. I had my colour vision checked approx. 25 years ago. I think it's high time it was checked again!

Anyway, it looks as if your nitrite figure is just OK. I suspect it'll be fine.

JPC

Thoughts, please.

As a recap, I've had the cardinal tetras since Sept 2019. Very soft water (34.38 ppm or 1.93 German degrees hardness) ought to suit them. 

In Dec 2019, one became bloated, and didn't respond well to Epsom salt and subsequent eSHa 2000 treatments or indeed to being isolated in the QT, became significantly worse, and died (link to thread to be inserted). Between this experience and reading elsewhere (source to be re-identified) of cardinals not responding well to treatment and isolation, I've been reluctant to use this approach again if needed.

Next, the largest one with the biggest appetite developed a few odd features (details earlier in this thread - first post) and turned white along the spine over the dorsal fin area, unlike her shoalmates' darker spines. She died in late May 2020.

The small runt of the shoal always had a 'washed out' look during water changes, and more recently at night and in the morning pre- 'lights on'. The red patch in his torso area has always had a bluish patch in it but this whole area has faded recently, accompanied by the uppermost area over the dorsal fin becoming white (in contrast to others' dark shade) in recent weeks, and rapid breathing. Eating well and filled out this month but this has progressed to bloating particularly in the past week. Today has developed 'flecks' as though scales distorted - this can be seen near the adipose fin in the video. I have wondered all along about this being neon tetra disease but his appetite is good and he hasn't strayed from the shoal. A bacterial infection; now dropsy? https:///youtu.be/YZxgAqSJC-Y  He now looks worse than the female looked a few weeks ago before she died.

I’m sorry to read about him, I’m not an expert on medical care but I would agree that if you or Mr fcmf cannot catch him to hospitalise for treatment and the event may stress him out further in my opinion you’ve done the best thing you can do with the situation. Would it be possible to remove the snails to allow the esha 2000 to be added?

Could you not plug the holes with filter floss or similar to seal Mrs Snail in? You can remove the chemicals with a carbon pad or this other white poly pad thing that removes toxins ? ( I’m sorry the actual name evades me at this hour)

It can be removed from pebbles but plants will take it up and if anything eats the plant it'll get inside the eater. Wood will take up anything we add to the tank.

If a fish is evading capture is normally a good sign - it’s when they don’t fear the net that often things are in a bad way. Agree that your approach seems sensible. I also note that I posted a few months ago about the quality of cardinal tetra I’d bought recently with losses shortly after introduction to the tank. I do personally wonder if there are genetic issue being introduced through their popularity etc.

Update: Sadly, it looks as though the little chap has passed away since I last looked in the tank 90mins ago.  He's upright on the sand, propped up against some decor, but I think the slight swaying movement is caused by the current.  Either way, I think I'll leave him for a bit, just in case he's in the process of passing away, as at least it's extremely peaceful and without interference from any inquisitive tankmates, buffeting from a more powerful filter, or any need for intervention on my part.

A couple of hours later: death confirmed as he's turning golden in colour.   I thought I might feel bad, wondering if I could have saved him weeks ago with treatment, but the difficulty attempting to catch him and everything else makes me feel as though he probably survived far longer than he might have done had I been more forceful at attempting to catch and hospitalise him. This way, he had a lovely quality time with his shoalmates/tankmates to the end, didn't dispute capture this morning and nor did his tankmates intervene to prevent it, seemed ok in the hospital tank this morning, and had the most peaceful passing possible (and least traumatic for his tankmates and for me given that I couldn't even be sure if he was dead or alive).  I may feel differently in time and have regrets but I do feel this is what he wanted.

It’s sad to hear this news @fcmf and I echo @Matt s comments that a few of us have had losses recently.

I can only provide you with comforting words in time like this, we all strive for the best care and love for our pets and that won’t change.

Having seen some positive comments and posts it always reminds me never give up and enjoy every moment