discus problems

[keithg]

HI all
looking for some advice on discus. I've had a tank for about 8 years but a newbie on line. I purchased 4 discus 1 - 2 '' 8 months ago for a 90lt tank had slight nitrate problems. Upgraded to 180lt corner unit. Problem 1 fish grown to approx 4'' one to 3'' both look in v good condition ( possible pair eggs once always very close) the other two fish have failed to grow and look quite poorly. removed one to quarantine 10lt tank. Water quality constant 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 -5 nitrate, ph 6.5, hardness gh and kh both 5. other inhabitants tetras 15, corys 2 and pleco 1 small. Think small 2 may be beyond saving. If I decide to get more discus should I get 1 , 2 or more and what size.

 

[WILDER]

Do they also look skinny, can you say why you think they are ill.

 

[keithg]

yes they look a bit skinny and lack of colour, they feed a bit but the two bigger ones chase them. afraid to add extra food due to polution. Feeding tetra prima granules and flake in morning, frozen shrimp and blood worm and flake late afternoon.

 

[WILDER]

Being pale is a sign of stress,what are your water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, does there bellies look sunken in, what does it look like when they go to the toilet, and is there anus red and inflamed.

 

[sylvia]

If the two healthy ones were bullying the others it's not a good idea to add more later. Also, you need to determine the source of your problems. IMO, the 180 litre tank is too small for discus anyway.

 

[afireinside]

what type of discus are they? blue, red, brown or green?

 

[keithg]

what type of discus are they? blue, red, brown or green?

[snapback]886453[/snapback]​

The two that are doing really well are cobalt blue and solid blue, the other two are
striped brown / green. Is 180lt (45gal) really too small? My lfs has some pidgeon blood discus the same size as the blue ones.

 

[afireinside]

weel, the striped brown/ green, isn't normally pale. do water changes. once my fish started to look pale, i did a 25% water change, they were fine. and they have some pidgeon blood, get some! i love those.

 

[big mick]

Try water changes before getting too down hearted, I have a 300ltr tank and change at least 25% of the water 3 times a week, in a couple of weeks I think you will see a big improvment.

 

[keithg]

Hi all thanks for advice.
The problem is more apparent. The two blues have eggs again.
Starting another post now for more advice.

 

[IMCL85]

thats probably they got parasite. Alot of discus grow skimmy because they have inner parasite, normally during feeding you can give them some garlic mix with beefheart(raw only) they love garlic and garlic tend to kill inner parasite. Continue feed them for a few weeks and that should do it. Also its best to remove the two from the healthy one. As small dicus will never grow up if alone with bigger. Good luck to ya.