Neons

[Zoom]

Hi there all,

I recently bough 20 neons from a LPS. I know they are probably the most common fish available, next to the Goldfish, but they seem to give a real sparkle and colour to the tank.

Just wanted to ask a few questions regarding them, as they have turned out rather disappointing...

Are they suppose to be 'active' fish, or shy fish. My Neons literally arrived in the tank and are all hiding in the rocks. They make their appearance every once in a while, but in general, I hardly ever see them.

I have also got 3 bright orange Sword tails, and the only possible explanation I can think of is that they are scared of the swords. Other tank mates incle Black widow Tetra's (One of which has also gone into hiding), Pristella tetras, Cory's, Zebra danios and a few Guppies.

Anyone else have similar experience, or advice?

[Fish Fantasy]

Hi Zoom! I have 10 neons and they do sometimes hide, doing a head count is sometimes impossible, so i keep the lighting low because i don't have any live plants this sometimes brings them out but in general they are smaller so they might feel slightly intimidated. How long have you had your neons for?

[Zafgak]

Hi Zoom - If you take into account this thread and your other thread on the dying fish - I have a feeling you have a bacterial infection running rampant in your tank.. My suggestion is to do a Metrodianizole treatment ASAP.. For details on this PM myself or Veegal...as I would have to ask her what the treatment regime is.. We had a similar problem some time ago with an Angel tank and all is well now.

BTW - Neons should not be hiding - they should be around all the time..

[Fish Fantasy]

Hi Zafgak! What is a Metrodianizole treatment? It sound interesting maybe my neons are the same as Zooms. Who Knew!!!

[veegal]

Metronidazole is medication....wait for it....used by humans - but is extremely effective if used correctly in the treatment of certain conditions in fish. HOWEVER it should NOT be over-used nor should it be used if you are not certain of the 'illness' in question.

For more info, read here http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=470

[Fish Fantasy]

My Word used by humans this is so interesting, so how do we find out what kind of conditions are treated by this method? Sorry i know this is a stupid question but i'm clueless!

[Carping]

So is there nobody here that is prepared to answer Fish Fantasy's question. I would also like to know what conditions can be treated with Metronidazole

[Fish Fantasy]

I tried to google it but this was all i got:

Metronidazole (Flagyl) (http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=532&S=1&SourceID=52)
Metronidazole is an antibiotic especially effective against anaerobic infections. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory properties in the large intestine and is an effective anti-diarrhea medication. It's also an effective antibiotic against certain protozoal infections.

[Carping]

anaerobic infections
certain protozoal infections
Thanks Fish Fantasy, that sounds great. Mind to translate that into English for me????

[Fish Fantasy]

Definition
An anaerobic infection is an infection caused by bacteria (called anaerobes) which cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Anaerobic bacteria can infect deep wounds (http://www.answers.com/topic/wound), deep tissues, and internal organs where there is little oxygen. These infections are characterized by abscess (http://www.answers.com/topic/abscess) formation, foul-smelling pus, and tissue destruction.
Description
Anaerobic means "life without air." Anaerobic bacteria grow in places which completely, or almost completely, lack oxygen. They are normally found in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, and vagina, and on the skin. Commonly known diseases caused by anaerobic bacteria include gas gangrene (http://www.answers.com/topic/gangrene), tetanus (http://www.answers.com/topic/tetanus), and botulism (http://www.answers.com/topic/botulism). Nearly all dental infections are caused by anaerobic bacteria.
Anaerobic bacteria can cause an infection when a normal barrier (such as skin, gums, or intestinal wall) is damaged due to surgery, injury, or disease. Usually, the immune system kills any invading bacteria, but sometimes the bacteria are able to grow and cause an infection. Body sites that have tissue destruction (necrosis) or a poor blood supply are low in oxygen and favor the growth of anaerobic bacteria. The low oxygen condition can result from blood vessel disease, shock (http://www.answers.com/topic/shock), injury, and surgery.

Anaerobic bacteria can cause infection practically anywhere in the body. For example:

Mouth, head, and neck. Infections can occur in the root canals, gums (gingivitis), jaw, tonsils, throat, sinuses, and ears.
Lung. Anaerobic bacteria can cause pneumonia (http://www.answers.com/topic/pneumonia), lung abscesses, infecton of the lining of the lung (empyema (http://www.answers.com/topic/empyema)), and dilated lung bronchi (bronchiectasis (http://www.answers.com/topic/bronchiectasis)).
Intraabdominal. Anaerobic infections within the abdomen include abscess formation, peritonitis (http://www.answers.com/topic/peritonitis), and appendicitis (http://www.answers.com/topic/appendicitis).
Female genital tract. Anaerobic bacteria can cause pelvic abscesses, pelvic inflammatory disease (http://www.answers.com/topic/pelvic-inflammatory-disease), inflammation of the uterine lining (endometritis), and pelvic infections following abortion, childbirth (http://www.answers.com/topic/childbirth), and surgery.
Skin and soft tissue. Anaerobic bacteria are common causes of diabetic skin ulcers, gangrene, destructive infection of the deep skin and tissues (necrotizing fascitis), and bite wound infections.
Central nervous system. Anaerobic bacteria can cause brain and spinal cord abscesses.
Bloodstream. Anaerobic bacteria can be found in the bloodstream of ill patients (a condition called bacteremia).

Noun1.protozoal infection - any infection caused by a protozoan malaria (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/malaria) - an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever

infection (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/infection) - the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms

amebiasis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/amebiasis), amebiosis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/amebiosis), amoebiasis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/amoebiasis), amoebiosis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/amoebiosis) - infection by a disease-causing ameba

giardiasis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/giardiasis) - infection of the intestines with protozoa found in contaminated food and water; characterized by diarrhea and nausea and flatulence and abdominal discomfort

kala azar (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/kala+azar), leishmaniasis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/leishmaniasis), leishmaniosis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/leishmaniosis) - sores resulting from a tropical infection by protozoa of the genus Leishmania which are spread by sandflies

trichomoniasis (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/trichomoniasis) - infection of the vagina



Ok some of these things don't speak of fish disease directly but they give you an idea more or less!

[Fish Fantasy]

Try this link it might help from Dr's Foster & Smith:

www.drsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_metronidazole.pdf (http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20080617182508/www.drsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_metronidazole.pdf)

[Carping]

Ok Fish Fantasy, now it's my turn for asking a stupid question.....
Which ones of those conditions is relevant to fishies??

[Fish Fantasy]

I have come to the end of the road with the info, so i've just asked the professor, hopefully we'll get an answer soon because i'm still baffled.

[birdie]

This forum is so educational.....one medication for dog,wife,kids and fish.Wholesale shopping recommended!

[Fish Fantasy]

LOL!!!! Hey! you can never say we're boring!!!!! we take the bull by the horns. :)

[veegal]

Sorry everyone, I missed this question somehow.....

Metronidazole was originally developed for the human treatment of anaerobic bacterial and protozoan infections, and have also shown to be valuable in combating Hole-in-the-Head disease of cichlids, which is believed to be caused, at least in part, by protozoa of the genus Hexamita. In some countries these drugs are available only on prescription (Solex69 found that to be the case here, but my pharmacist is a fishy person and gives it to us without prescription). Prophylactic use of this drug is sometimes advocated, especially for discus, but, given good husbandry and attention to stress minimisation, Hexamita should not be a problem in otherwise healthy fish.

So to put it in a nutshell, metronadizol should not be used just because you don't know what's wrong with your fish. It is used to treat resistant strains of protozoan infections (parasites) and should not be used 'just in case' as it can help develop 'super hybrid protozoans'.

Hope this helps....

[veegal]

See Profs response as well...

[Fish Fantasy]

See Profs response as well...

Thanks Veegal your're a star! That helps alot and it makes the whole Metronidazole thing so much easier to understand.