Discus Behavior Odd

[Hungriee]

I have one discus that I've kept for awhile. He looks normal from appearance but the last two days its been going nuts in the tank, splashing water, going in circles super fast and bashing it self into manzanita wood then going circles around the plants as its addicted to drugs and cant get any. Then it rests for a bit then goes nuts again, sometimes it just loses control and no longer swims and i think its dead but its not.

Is something wrong? Its a pigeon strain so I cant tell if its stressed, it hasn't eaten though.

[Blueiz]

What are your water parameters. It sounds to me as tho it has an irritant, whether it be something in the water or a parasite. Either way, I reccomend testing your water then doing a large water change just in case. Test your water first so you will know what the params are and it may give you a clue was to what is going on. Add some carbon to your filter as well.

[Hungriee]

0ammonia, 0 nitrite, .5 nitrates, 6.3 PH, 86Degrees

ALl other fish in tank normal. It could be parasites. DO you know how I can cure it? it looks real itchy it keeps rubbing its bottom to the substrate - it looks like its losing it =(

My other fish, the rams and cardinals look fine. I'm swapping in some new carbon now. It looks like its committing suicide by diggin its head into the soil now. OH boy, this sucks

[The Zigman]

do you see anything on the fish??
Any spots, worms fungus??

can you get any pictures of it?

[Hungriee]

no spots, or ich, or any site of fungus fish looks aboslutely fine but is definitely struggling. I added some salt to the tankbut not sure if that'll work

[The Zigman]

All the other fish are acting normal?

[Hungriee]

yes swimming normal. only that one discus isn't normal. i jsut did a 50% wc then changed filter media off the powerfilter and left the canister uncleaned (will clean tomorrow). then turned off the lights. hopefully the discus will make it.

i raised the temp to 89 on my therometer hopefully it'll kill any parasites.

[Dkarc]

If he is darting about the tank and is "scratching" on objects in the tank than it is definetly a parasite problem. Personally, anytime I ever have a probem with parasites on an individual fish in a display tank I find it easier to do a salt dip rather than treat the whole tank. 3% salt dip works wonders (1/2cup salt per gallon of water if I remember right). Mix up the salt solution in a 5 gal bucket, mix it well and add an airstone. Net fish and place in solution until it basically rolls over/loses equilibrium. Once it does that, immediatly transfer back into display tank. Granted, this will only take care of the immediate problem....there is still a huge risk of reinfestation because the display tank was never treated. Depending if it is barebottom, planted, and types of fish in it, it may be difficult to properly treat the display tank.

-Ryan

[Hungriee]

good advice.. ill try it. its planted/ with soil so its going to be tough - but willing to do it to save the rest of the fish.

how does fish get parasites?

[Hungriee]

its now swimming upside down. i think it has parasites near its mouth. it keeps bashing its face into the soil then rubbing it head down then darts then suddenly stops. its barely swimming more of a flaoting matter. i did a dip but have not seen improvement or for it to be at equilibrium. i decided to keep it in a Qt for now with a sep heater and an airstone.

[Blueiz]

its now swimming upside down. i think it has parasites near its mouth. it keeps bashing its face into the soil then rubbing it head down then darts then suddenly stops. its barely swimming more of a flaoting matter. i did a dip but have not seen improvement or for it to be at equilibrium. i decided to keep it in a Qt for now with a sep heater and an airstone.

If Im not mistaking you have to keep the fish in the dip until basically it rolls over and looks dead, then remove it back to the fw and over several seconds, a few minutes the fish will right itself and be totally normal..

[Hungriee]

it died this morning after putting it back

[snoopy65]

So sorry for your loss.

[Blueiz]

Sorry to hear that. I know it sounds a bit morbid, but are you going to give its a good going over to see if it may have had a parasite? Personally Id think about treating the whole tank with a broad spectrum anti parasite just in case since this seems tobe the most likely cause.

Had you added any new additions recently?

[avionics30]

Good call on the QT. If you have a discus that is that is acting that strange, first thing to do is QT. You certainly don't want an entire tank full of illness. While he is in quarantine you could treat with Prazipro if this is in fact a parasite. I think its two doses 7 days apart. Pretty simple. Is this discus eating? You mentioned that you have a soil substrate. What kind of soil?

[Blueiz]

Good call on the QT. If you have a discus that is that is acting that strange, first thing to do is QT. You certainly don't want an entire tank full of illness. While he is in quarantine you could treat with Prazipro if this is in fact a parasite. I think its two doses 7 days apart. Pretty simple. Is this discus eating? You mentioned that you have a soil substrate. What kind of soil?


it died this morning after putting it back

:(

[avionics30]

:swear:

CRAP! Sorry to hear about that. It's very unfortunate. Don't give up though. Continue to investigate and take preventative measures. The Prazi can be used as a preventative if you deem necessary. I'm still concerned about the "soil" that you stated you had as a substrate. What is it?

[Hungriee]

its a planted tank with eco complete. I haven't added new fish to this tank for a long time, Im not sure how the discus got parasite, but it was just a one two day thing and went crazy and that night it died.

The rest of the fish are fine in the tank eating tetra flakes and pellets but am heavily monitoring the fish in case i have a new victim.

Well, the discus was a beautiful one which I had for about 8 months and when it died in the quarantine tank it stunk it up badly.

[Hungriee]

GUESS WHAT!!!!



My other Discus Laid Eggs today after a 20% WC, the action was incredible the pair kept rubbing their parts against one of my branches which they love to lay eggs on. Hopefully this batch will survive (it is the 13th time laying eggs but no fry).

[pinkertd]

Sorry you lost the discus! Good luck to you on the new spawn! It is exciting when they finally get it right!