Need Help With Discus!

[jellybeanqueen]

Hiya I have a community tank with two discus fish, two angelfish, a shovelnose catfish and a plec. Iv had my discus fish for about a year and a half and they have always got on very well and eaten fine. I came down to feed them and notived that one of them was looking a little down and didnt rush up to the food as usual. When watching them i noticed that the discus would approach each other and starting biting each others mouths and locking together. They would also swish their tails at each other. I have no idea what has caused this sudden aggression as they have always been perfectly peaceful with each other and pretty good friends- any suggestions thank you!!!

 

[chrisdoesntmiss]

Thats a courting ritual between them. Watch out for eggs

Make sure you have plenty of water changes and feed some live foods.

 

[jellybeanqueen]

Really!!! id always read that they were peaceful breeders! say if they managed to mate then would the eggs be safe in the community tank? thank you!!

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

No I doubt it. Discus can get very aggressive with each-other, and most people advise to keeping them in a tank with at least 5. In small numbers, aggression is almost imminent, and this will most likely end in one of them dying. How big is the tank? You have some really bad stocking, as shovelnose will get very aggressive, and may attack the Discus at night when they are sleeping. Also, what type of pleco is it? If it is anything but bristlenose, then it will eventually go for the Discus slime coating, which isn't good.

 

[jellybeanqueen]

Actualy the shovel nose is anything but aggressive even at night. The other fish were only temparory as they were from another tank which was my brothers but hes broken his knee so cant do the water changes and they were moved to my tank. I recently had three discus and was planning to get another but it died whilst left in the care of someone eles whilst i was on holiday. I asked my local breeder and he said that as the discus had paired up adding more would cause to much aggression over territory. Its just a common plec but doesnt seem to go near the discus. They have always been peaceful ever since iv had them its only been today that this has started. I have the largest jewel trigon tank, and was told it was fine for discus as long as they werent to big.

 

[jellybeanqueen]

Actualy the shovel nose is anything but aggressive even at night. The other fish were only temparory as they were from another tank which was my brothers but hes broken his knee so cant do the water changes and they were moved to my tank. I recently had three discus and was planning to get another but it died whilst left in the care of someone eles whilst i was on holiday. I asked my local breeder and he said that as the discus had paired up adding more would cause to much aggression over territory. Its just a common plec but doesnt seem to go near the discus. They have always been peaceful ever since iv had them its only been today that this has started. I have the largest jewel trigon tank, and was told it was fine for discus as long as they werent to big.

p.s i wasnt actually planning on breeding them! i was under the impression they were two females!

 

[angelmouse]

I think its aggression not breeding, mine are more placid with each other when breeding but aggressive towards other fish. One discus will always want to be boss and will bully the other, so if they are not in a shoal to spread out the aggression the other fish will get bullied and will get v.unhappy poss even die with stress, a pair will only work if it is a definate breeding pair, they may be ok for a while but when they reach adulthood this can be a problem. Make sure there are plenty of plants and bogwood so they can't see each other if one needs to hideout.
Regards Angel

 

[DiscAngel]

I think its aggression not breeding, mine are more placid with each other when breeding but aggressive towards other fish. One discus will always want to be boss and will bully the other, so if they are not in a shoal to spread out the aggression the other fish will get bullied and will get v.unhappy poss even die with stress, a pair will only work if it is a definate breeding pair, they may be ok for a while but when they reach adulthood this can be a problem. Make sure there are plenty of plants and bogwood so they can't see each other if one needs to hideout.
Regards Angel

Time will tell if it is aggression or mating ritual.
Discus of the same sze rarely hurt eachother. It is normal cichlid behaviour to be a bit territorial. t's quite interesting to watch.
Many cichlids get a bit destructive before mating.
Angels for example, nip at plants.

 

[invader]

What kind of shovel nose cat do you have? The common tiger SN gets way to big for the majority of home aquariums. I would suggest rehoming the fish, as it will outgrow your tank and may become a threat to your other fish (Ie, eating them).

 

[darknirvana217]

Sounds like aggression to me too. Discus can be very aggressive when kept alone or in small groups. Since you have had them for so long perhaps they are maturing and becoming more aggressive for territory. Also, invaderwithkey is right about the tiger shovelnose and is the pleco temporary and how long have you had him? Sometimes plecos like to suck on the sides of discus.