First ever discus for me

[fastlight81]

I visit the plant forum here quite frequently, but never had a need to visit this one to much. I recently bought 3 discus for my planted aquarium. Ive wanted discus for about 15 years and finally feel like I am ready for them...so I thought. My discus have been in my tank for 3 days, are the most timid fish I have ever encountered. They wont eat. I have tried frozen brine shrimp, frozen blood worms and frozen cichlid delight. They are so timid I cant go near the tank without them running and hiding. Any suggestions? Also can anyone id they type of discus? They are labeled red marlboro but Im not so sure. These pictures are the best I can do.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2338&pictureid=20046

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=2338&pictureid=20045

They are real orange and 1 has a lot of brown on the fins and one of the other has a hint of blue in the fins. They are about 2 inches, and tank temp is 82.5

[nc0gnet0]

Where did you get these discus? Can you take them back? I am only getting a good look at one, but he is stunted and not very healthy IMHO.

For starters with juvies your tank temperature is a bit low, I would bump it up to 86 degrees.

It appears that the one I can see is starting to develope razor back syndrome, incredibly thin. Watch his poo over the next several days and describe it to me. It it is white and fluffy your going to need to treat for hex.

[stephcps]

I agree the one appears stunted and thin. So, it's hard to know age. I keep my juvies at 82 and never had an issue. however most do keep them warmer. You may try bumping up the temp to stimulate their appetite. Do it slowly over a couple of days. Turn your light off. It took probably 2 weeks for my juvies to get used to my light. Everytime it would come on they would hide and then slowly come back out. I left it on a timer and over 2-3 weeks increased the amount of time it was on until they finally were used to it.

Watch them closely. I think increasing the temp may get them eating.

[fastlight81]

Thanks for the advise. I have the tank temp at 83.5 I dont want to fry my other fish. As far as anything with these fish, as soon as I get home from work they freak out and dart about then hide, and well thats all they do then. I am curious on the one, that looks stunted, I noticed that too. As far as watching the poo, ill try, but they are to chicken sh%# too even enjoy.

[nc0gnet0]

Would like to see picks of the other two, and what other fish do you also have in the tank. Rule number one of discus keeping.......it's a discus tank. Rule number two........see rule number one :p:

[fastlight81]

haha yea. There are only panda corys and otos in there. They certainly arent bugging them

[fastlight81]

Lost 2 of them, 3 may not make it night. I already talked to my lfs guy, ill be getting a refund.

[nc0gnet0]

Sorry for your loss but I am not suprised. Those fish were not healthy at all, I would avoid buying anymore discus from that store. head over to simplydiscus.com read up on discus keeping and buy some fish from one of there sponsers, either Kenny or Discus Hans.........you will be much happier starting with healthy fish.

[DiscusOnly]

Sorry for your loss but I am not suprised. Those fish were not healthy at all, I would avoid buying anymore discus from that store. head over to simplydiscus.com read up on discus keeping and buy some fish from one of there sponsers, either Kenny or Discus Hans.........you will be much happier starting with healthy fish.

You can also try to find a local breeder in your area.

[Sportsnutim]

Thanks for the advise. I have the tank temp at 83.5 I dont want to fry my other fish. As far as anything with these fish, as soon as I get home from work they freak out and dart about then hide, and well thats all they do then. I am curious on the one, that looks stunted, I noticed that too. As far as watching the poo, ill try, but they are to chicken sh%# too even enjoy.

Wow that sucks sorry to hear that. I have very few other fish in my tank that could bother my discus. Traffic can cause stress. Sounds like you got bad fish. Sorry to hear that.

[Sportsnutim]

Sorry for your loss but I am not suprised. Those fish were not healthy at all, I would avoid buying anymore discus from that store. head over to simplydiscus.com read up on discus keeping and buy some fish from one of there sponsers, either Kenny or Discus Hans.........you will be much happier starting with healthy fish.


I had really good luck with Rocky Mountain Discus and Mac's Discus. All my discus from them are great. Sunrise has nice fish other than he feeds them only Bloodworms.