Tropical Fish Discus Forum Questions Answered!

After my bi-weekly water change, 2 of 6 Discus suddenly developed large, distended stomachs. These 2 fish quite literally ‘popped’ and they died. The other 4 discus are not eating and are
discolored since the water change 5 days ago.
My water change was different from my normal one in that, this time I changed nearly 50% (instead of my usual 25%). I added my normal tap water conditioner (which should eliminate chlorine poisoning, right?)
This time, I also added 2 new water treatments … Tetra “Blackwater” and a white algae control powder. Would these treatments, or the chlorine in the new water, account for these deaths?
Some other small, (community fishes) in the tank also died. I’ve checked my pH and Nitrate levels and they are both at very good levels.
My tank dimensions are 60 x 24 x 24.

Reply:
Necessary precaution you should bear in mind when you change water.
1.Check the in coming water with the chlorine tester.
So you know the concentration of chlorine at this moment.
Sometimes chlorine nil. The water conditioners you apply vary all the time.
The amount of water you change (25% or 50%) does not matter. You can even change 100% (We always do).
2.After you have topped up the water, add the water conditioners gradually.
Check the water with the chlorine tester every time you add in the water conditioners.
Until you are satisfied and make sure there is no more chlorine.

Blackwater & White algae control powder.
I don’t know why you need these treatments. They can do well in our tap water without this two items. The white algae control powder is very poisonous. It kills plants and fish. You should handle this very carefully. Slightly overdose you would landed with disappointment.
To control the algae growth you play around with the lighting.

What do I need to breed my Discus Fish? If they do breed, how long does it take for them to be moved back to a bigger tank?

Reply: Breeding
1. Allow them to breed in a breeding tank.
2. Apply Methylene Blue after laying eggs.
3. Eggs will be hatched out within 4 days.
4. Larva will be hanging for 4 days.
5. They will hang around their parents after free swimming.
6. Feed them with artemia.
7. Then daphnia. Then worm. Then fish burger.

How many fish should go in a 25 gallon tank?

Reply:
1″ to 2″ (About 10 fishes)
3″ to 4″ (About 5 fishes)

As soon as the female has eggs, the male eats them all right away! I have raised these fish since they were little and I am determined not to give up. What should I do?

Reply:
1. Do they work together closely?
2. Female lays eggs and male follows and fertilizes the eggs.
3. If it is a first attempt it will not always be successful.
4. Try again. At least a few attempts.

Just wondering how you can tell the sexes of the Discus. I have one blue and one spotted leopard and wish to attempting breeding discus but not sure how to tell them apart. I plan to purchase more to start breeding.

Reply:
Take the natural way.
Allow them to pair up themselves. That is the best
You may know the sex, male and female, put them together.
They still would not breed if one of them is not ready.
They will fight instead.

I have one discus in a 2′x2′x4′ tank. It has achieve adulthood. Is said to be a Malboro (dealer said). It has eaten neon tetras before, though I am not so sure whether my zebra fish had suffered the same fate. what other fish can i put in for company ? what does it look like? what kind of plants can i use to recreate it’s natural habitat ?

Reply:
1. Any small fish are not advisable to be together with discus fish.
They eventually will be eaten up by discus fish.
2. You can introduce many discus fish of other strains.
3. Plants which have broad leaves like Amazon Sword plant are good for discus fish.
4. They can lay eggs on the leaves.

Not many baby fish were produce from the eggs hatch. Eggs are a lot. but not many baby fish were born. is it because of the water condition (temp 26~27 Celsius, ph 7.2~7.5), or the adult fish’s
problem (age around 2 1/2 years, is it too old) or is it because of the food they eat (blood worm only).

Reply:
1. It is common for this to happen.
2. Eggs not fully fertilized.
3. Water temperature a bit low. (29-30C)
Hatching period prolonged, many may not hatched out.
4. Blood worm is good.

Three weeks ago I bought a pair of Melon Red Discus about 2″ in size. The first two weeks they got along excellently but after the third week the one believed to be the male has become very territorial and won’t let the other one believed to be the female leave a specific spot of the tank. Each time she leaves the spot for a swim around, the male chases her until she stays at the mentioned spot. Its like if he does not want her swimming around. Presently the female has been defending herself resulting in more fights. The females anal fin has also been bitten. I don’t think they are ready for spawning as they are only 2″ or could they be both males? What should I do?

Reply:
This is a common thing that happens with the discus fish.
They like to fight for many reasons. Sometime you really don’t know why.
Two fish is too small number. Add in more so the bully will get tired of fighting all.

Hi, my blue diamond is always in dull blue color, is it my water problem or are there any ways to improve the color. TKS A lot.

Reply:
Could be the breed, nothing can be done.
Try to change diet. Add prawns and vitamin (Spirulina) in the food.

I have three pairs of discus. In the end of December one of the pair gave eggs on filter cover. It was late so i so didn’t separate them.Second day I found the pair themselves eating the eggs I couldn’t do anything. After 2-3 days I separated rest of discus from that tank and placed PVC pipe to lay their eggs. Almost after 10-12 days the pair again laid their eggs but same thing happened. Now again they are laying eggs what should i do? I would also like to know that can I separate the female after laying eggs and in which season or month the female lay eggs and what is the interval) in between the a female laying eggs I would be very grateful if you help me to solve this problem thanks.

Reply:
The whole process of laying eggs till nursing the babies it is born to them.
They will take care their babies by nature.
Why separate them? Let them share their work. They will take turn to fan the eggs.
In our country they lay eggs throughout the year. As long as she has eggs and she finds the other half then she will lay eggs and male will fertilize the eggs.
They are very productive they can lay eggs fortnightly.

I have some 15 discus in a 5 feet community aquarium together with 3 clown loaches and some assorted tetras.
Last week one of my discus laid eggs just on the 3dimensional scenery in a corner of the aquarium. I was instructed by my dealer to separate the pair from the rest, so I did put a foam partition in my aquarium leaving the parents alone with the eggs. To my disappointment the eggs disappeared. My dealer told me that the discus had most probably eaten them. So I removed the partition, now five days after on the same spot the same pair of discus have now laid a new lot of eggs. Can you please instruct me on how to proceed to try and save this cluster of eggs?

Reply:
If the parents feel unsecured or being disturbed by nature they will eat up their eggs.
You have to cover the eggs with the wire mesh and remove the other fish.
Or put the pair in a separate tank and wait for next round. For more info on discus breeding ..

I’m using tap water after 24 hours treatment for chlorine and heating, etc, and the measurements are 2 to 3 (German degrees) hardness and 7,2 PH. Should i find a way to turn the water slightly acid or should i use it as it is, as it is much easier to match the conditions of the tank and new water. Thank you for your attention.

Reply:
Discus fish is The King O