Tropical Fish Discus Forum Questions Answered!

I’ve had my tank for a while, but within the past few weeks I’ve lost a few fish. 2 swordtail. They start to turn upside down & sink …till death. what can I do? I’ve done a water change already. My water condition is normal. I have one of the two swordtail about to die. He is separated in a different tank, sunk on the bottom, and can’t breath very well.

Jungle Laboratories Chlorine / Chloramine Quick Dip Test Strips (25-strip box)

Reply:
Most likely it is the water. The water contains chlorine that kills the fish.
You should apply water conditioner to your water. (Hypo)
And use Chlorine tester to check your water whether still contains Chlorine.

Aqua Plus Fin Care 67.7oz

I have a tank size of 36*18*24. I do have one thermostat and water condition is good. However, when I buy an pair of discus the fins get shrink and the body start itching and they rub to the plants and the filtration then they die …..

Methylene Blue

Reply:
1. Ich (White Spot) attacks your fish.
2. Aplly Methylene Blue solution plus salt.
3. Keep your water temperature at 30 degree C.
4. No feeding. No water changed for one week with the medicine.

Refer to receiving your discus shipment …

Several Discus sick, hiding on bottom, dark color, looks like sides are bruised, patchy dark discolored splotches in middle of sides, treated with tetracycline and copper, but no success. no fighting or bullying going on.

Reply:
Refer to Treatment with OTC and Copper Sulphate

I want to de-worm my Discus. I have 2 products.
Fish Zole(Metronidazole) and WaterLife Sterazin. Which one would be the best for de-worming.

Fish Zole (Metronidazole 250 mg) – 100 Tabs

Reply:
There are different types of worms.
The medicine cannot kill all the worms.
Unless you know the specific types of worms, otherwise
you can apply both at the same time if the fish can tolerate.
Or you apply one at a time.

I have two discus about 1 1/2 years old sharing the same 30 gallon tank:
Environment:
PH: 6.0-6.5
TEMP: 85 degrees
Filter: Sponge filter and bio filter
Food: Primarily flake/occasionally frozen brine shrimp.
Water change: 3 gallons/day tap water (add stress coat and appropriate ph reducer
Normal behavior: Get along fine/always try to breed; sometimes come close

I awoke today and the female discus has a white/greyish mucus down one of it’s sides and seems to be struggling/inactive/hiding/staying at surface off balance.Waste seems normal, but now they have no appetite (this is rare). Could not tell if it had Hexamita or Costia. I saw this in the male on and off before, but much less serious and I thought it had to do with the mating.I have just gotten home and the male now has these white patches on an eye and also down it’s side.

Action taken:
Did a 25% water change this morning and took out the carbon filter.I added the correct amount recommended by BINOX(1 teaspoon/25G)(for fungus and bacteria).I also turned the main fish tank light off and left the room light on dimly to relieve stress.
Increased temp. to 88-90 degrees. I really care alot about my discus and hope I am doing the right thing for them.Does this look like a case of Costia to you? Did I medicate correctly or did I misdiagnose? Should I have increased the temp?

Reply:
First of all you should treat your fish in a hospital tank. Your main tank has already full of fungus, parasite and also bacteria.
Anything that can kill parasite and bacteria can use to treat your fish. Add Methylene, which is very effective for killing fungus. Raise salt content in the water.

You can use Formalin 1ml/100 liter of water to kill parasite and bacteria.
Change 50% of water daily and replace half amount of medicine.
Formalin 3 – 16oz

Poor water quality leads to this disease. It can spread very fast. It is so infectious and can kill all the fish in the same tank within a few days.

Methylene Blue:
It is best to use for killing fungus and stop fungus growing and spreading.
It is also used for killing certain parasites, especially white spots.
It is more effective if you increase salt content in water during treatment.