Discus

[Reefbum]

Recently purchased 8 Discus from The Discus Place and three days later one fish had a white film on it body and it died. Yesterday the remaining fish were covered with the same white film and I started treatment with Paragon II. As per The Discus book I covered the tank to block all light as it appeared to be Velvet. I also did a 40 RO water change as my Ammonia was 0.25 and nitrates were 12.5 mg/1. All other readings were good, PH 6.5 etc. I have a 150 gal. bow front that has been established for over 4 years and recently removed all fish to change to Discus. I already have 8 Discus that are doing great and I didn't have another tank to put these in for protection. I tried to get help from The Discus Place but no luck. Can anyone give me some advise. After 12 hours of darkness the fish look a little better and none have died. Thanks

 

[ryan]

I agree is sounds like Velvet to me, raise the temperatuer to 84 if you haven't already, this will help to speed up the velvet so the medicine has a better affect. I would continue with the current treatment for now and see how they fair. The nitrates are pretty high for Discus so I 10% daily water change will help to lower that, the reason for the sudden spike is likely to be the introduction of 8 fish which is quite alot of waste to introduce at once, and may well overload the filter.

Good Luck

 

[Reefbum]

This nitrate level was before I did the 40 Gal. RO water change. Thanks for your assistance and I will never purchase anything from The Discus Place again. They are the one's that recommended I buy 8. The discus I have purchased from the local Fish Store have done great and they have been one or two at a time. The guy at The Discus Place was very rude with his last email and he won't hear from me again. Again, thanks for your help. I checked them at 1:00 AM this morning and now again at 6:30 AM and each time they look better. Do you know how long I should keep the tank dark? Thanks

 

[ryan]

If you are keeping it dark to reduce stress, then I would leave it like that until they are recovered or well on their way. Maybe start with some dim room lighting before you put the aquarium lights back on. Glad to hear they are looking better again, and is the Dicus place wasn't up to standered and couldn't be trusted than I am glad you won't be going there again.

 

[Reefbum]

The Discus book states the information seems to suggest that Velvet can survive in a non-parasitic state for some time, this is because of its ability to produce its own nourishment through photosynthesis. The book recommends the tank be in total darkness to prevent Velvet from nourishing through photosynthesis. This is done while you are treating your tank. The guy from The Discus Place stated in his last email that "If you had used common sense you would not be treating the tank since the fish were stressed out from shippment." Had I not treated the tank all the fish I purchased from him would be dead. Now it appears they will all live. I really appreciate your help. By the way, The Discus book does not state how long to keep the tank dark or how long to treat for Velvet.

 

[Shizat]

How big are you current discus and how big are the ones that you purchased? My friend just bought 20 discus for his 200 gallon tank and everything went smooth but they were all about quarter dollar in size.

 

[Reefbum]

Four were approx. 4 to 4 1/2 inches, and the remainder were between 2 1/2 to 3 inches. They are all looking a lot better but still have a small amount of white film. Hope your friend has better luck with his and who did he purchase his from as I am building a new home and plan to have a 10 foot tank inside the wall. I want Discus as they are the most beautiful fresh water fish. This is the first problem I have had and it apparently came in with the fish. Thanks for your reply.