Neons with Velvet?

[BettaBGood]

Can this be?

I've researched (short of extensively, though), and have found all kinds of info about Neon Tetra Disease itself, but does anyone out there know, or can you confirm whether neon tetras are susceptible to velvet?

I have 5 neons & a cory cat in a 5-gal tank. Temp is 78F, ammo = 0, nitrite = 0, nitrate = <5. They have all been in a "slump" for a week or so w/decreased appetite & some fairly recent fin deterioration.

Last night, when I first turned on their light to feed them, the neons appeared to have lost most of their color! After 10 minutes or so, their color began to return, but they were still not acting right. I noticed that most of them have a golden sheen, but they're not darting or scratching. Some are breathing more rapidly than usual & one has some unusual redness at the gill area. My cory doesn't have the sheen all over, just at the gill area, but he is acting strange, too.

What to do? Treat for velvet even if I'm not positive? I've heard that it is deadly if left untreated...

[BettaBGood]

BR,

Thanks for your reply. Strangely enough, they seem to be doing much better now (more active & eating well). Their full color returns during the day, once the light has been on for a while. I read somewhere else that it is not uncommon for neons to pale in the dark.

I've had these neons since May. I started out with 6, and lost one (yes, don't cringe) while the tank was cycling. They are very hardy (initially, I almost killed them due "newbie ignorance," and improper coaching from lfs clerks who just want to sell more fish)!

They certainly do like to nip at each other, not constantly - just when it's chow time. (And although I never see it happen, I'm pretty sure they bully my cory cat, who will be moved soon to a 5.5 gal tank shared with one of my lucky betta boys...)

[BettaBGood]

BR,

As much as I don't want to look..., let me know when you have posted a pic.

Tks,
BBG

[BettaBGood]

I'm so sorry, BettRic! How many are left?

Curious, when the entire tank is infected like that, do you just sort of wait for nature to take its course & then sanitize the tank and start all over again?

[BettaBGood]

I thought that other fish were susceptible to NTD, too. (?) So, even though the neons in the tank are infected, the others are not? (Or are neons the only thing in the tank right now...?)