Discus not eating

[marshall unger]

I just bought a discus and he's not eating I have tried frozen tubifex and mysis shrimp with no sucsess.Help!:help:

[liv2padl]

need alot more information marshall ...

what size tank
how many fish in it and what kind
what are your pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels
how often do you change water and how much do you change
how long have you had this discus
how did you acclimate it to your water chemistry

[BucJason]

It is probably stressed....important things you need to tell us is what other kind of fish are in the tank and your water parameters.

Your parameters have to absolutely perfect for a Discus , and any aggressive and/or fast moving fish will stress them out.

[marshall unger]

The tank is a 30 gallon though he will soon be moved to a 90 gallon temperature is 81 degrees ph is 7 ,tankmates are gouranamys and tiger barbs(the barbs don't bother the discus)and I bought him yesterday.

[TwoTankAmin]

Two things. Discus can take a while to settle in and may not eat intil they do so. Also, they are social fish and do not do well kept alone.

[TimmyB42386]

just because you don't see the tiger barbs nipping at him doesen't mean they dont. They can be serious little *******s when your not looking, and in addition to trying to acclimate a discus with tiger barbs causing problems, he's probably just getting used to his new home like everyone else already said.

[uacich12]

Two things. Discus can take a while to settle in and may not eat intil they do so. Also, they are social fish and do not do well kept alone.
I have never successfully kept 1 Discus w/ out other Discus for very long at all, nor have I known anyone who does or would even recommend it. Does he have more than enough places to hide. Could be acclimation as stated above, but I would very seriously look to safely move into perfect water parameters w/ other Discus ASAP. Finger's crossed for him:)

[mr pleco]

i agree tiger barbs are a definite no ! ph is a little high but they can and do survive at this level but 81 degrees !! should be around 86 degrees this temp is too cold, discus do not do well below 86
what are your ammonia /nitrite/nitrate levels in this tank
some discus are slow to eat esp new ones and if they have other tankmates but IMO you need to address the above problems first isloate this fish if you can and raise the temp to 86 and while you are there check your parameters please

[marshall unger]

ok the temperature is up and the amonia ,nitrate ,and nitrite are zero, however I can't isolate the discus.Will he be ok without other discus for about a month?He is going to be moved to another tank in about 2 weeks.

[duffer]

Tiger barbs shouldn't be together with discus. Also discus are shoaling fish and do best in groups of 5 or more. Raise the temperature a few degrees to hopefully get the fish to start eating. Also lower the pH to 6.5. Good luck.

[Star_Rider]

I have never successfully kept 1 Discus w/ out other Discus for very long at all, nor have I known anyone who does or would even recommend it. Does he have more than enough places to hide. Could be acclimation as stated above, but I would very seriously look to safely move into perfect water parameters w/ other Discus ASAP. Finger's crossed for him:)


the exception is breeding pairs..they should be kept in a 40 gal breeder with no other inhabitants.(bare bottom tank)
however, in this case discus are schooling fish..
how big is this discus..I am guessing it is fairly small?
water should be warm 84 for young discus. best in bare bottom .it will need several feedings a day and bare bottom is easier to keep clean.
water changes for young discus should be daily .however, you can do 3-4 per week (30-40%) this makes it easier to maintain the tank conditions..aka pristine water.
when the fish get older and you cut back on feedings..you can cut back a bit on water changes..I still do 2-3 40% changes weekly for my discus.

give the discus a couple days to acclimate..if it is not readily taking in food..don't try to force the issue. how are the colors? discus will show barring (in many morphs) or turn black when stressed..
if it is showing stress watch the temps..and watch the tank mates. as mentioned tiger barbs and discus is not a good combination.

not sure how they will do with gourami's.


when you get the new tank you can get more discus 5-6 more would be nice.

also when feeding have you tried bloodworms?

[marshall unger]

I just tried blood worms and he didn't go for them,however he did eat some daphnia,I think I'm going to move him to the 90 gallon,there's just a few anglefish in there and lots of plants.Also is there a way I can lower the ph?

[BucJason]

I just tried blood worms and he didn't go for them,however he did eat some daphnia,I think I'm going to move him to the 90 gallon,there's just a few anglefish in there and lots of plants.Also is there a way I can lower the ph?


buy him a buddy if possible.

[marshall unger]

I'm working on it,will he be ok for about 2 weeks without a buddy?

[Octavarium]

Tiger Barbs were the nastiest fin nippers I ever had in over 12 years of having all different tanks. I'll never get those fish again, definitely remove them from the poor discus tank.

[Star_Rider]

I'm working on it,will he be ok for about 2 weeks without a buddy?

should be okay..but keep an eye on it.

keep feeding daphnia but try mixing other food with the daphnia. it should get use to other food.
when placing it with angels ..keep a close eye on the discus.with it not being very aggressinve feeding it will not be able to compete with the angels.

[pigeonblood]

If you can, sell the tigers back to your lfs. That poor discus needs to get away from those barbs also angel's feed to agressively for young discus and he prob. won't get any food.Not a good idea try placing him in a 20 long for a bit barebottom w/driftwood for hiding till u can get him a buddy.good luck.