Thanks so much for the help and feedback!
A couple questions plus some background on my situation for other future readers 🙂
Added carbon to filter and did 50% water change to start taking out meds today…I had done a full round of API EM Erythromycin, 1st course of API General Cure (when I thought maybe neon tetra disease and before seeing the info on columnaris; ruled out NTD after losing 1st fish and seeing spread and progression with 2nd fish that died) Just finished a single round of the 5 Day Kanaplex & Jungle Fungus Treatment.
I still have 4 out of the 7 neons I started with (plus 3 mollies who are healthy and happy in main tank): 2 neons that seem healthy and robust, 1 that is okay (active, eating and schooling a bit) but something seems “off” and then one who has unfortunately lost most of his back fin and tail seems slightly crippled so he is having a very difficult time staying upright.
This last one is trying so hard and putting up quite the fight, but isn’t able to school and is considerably smaller than the others. He’s trying to eat and even tries to greet me 🙂
Any tips on improving this little guy’s condition or helping with feeding? I’m dosing a little aquarium salt & will add the extra airstone first thing tomorrow.
I was considering adding a couple live plants but am nervous to change too much or add anything that might reintroduce bacteria or something risky. Thoughts?
I put some gravel from my main tank in the hospital tank when this all first started; I have an extra small sponge in the main tank still that I’ve been holding off using; been able to keep my ammonia in check so far. should I use it now in the hospital tank or is this risking cross contamination or reinfection?
Also, I am supposed to do a 2nd round of API General Cure 2-3 weeks after the 1st. Should I bother with that or give these guys a break from all the medication?
Sorry long winded, this has been an overwhelming experience…1st tank, 6 weeks to properly fishless cycle, and in my 1st week of starting to stock I’d only had my neons 2 or 3 days before seeing signs of illness and losing 1st fish. All stocking plans haulted of course. it’s been a steep, swift learning curve on quarantining and buying from a reputable source to say the least. On the bright side I was able to pull the school before it spread to my Mollies, I have an assorted stock of meds and full quarantine setup for when I get to the other side of this! 🙂