Cobalt Blue Discus

[Michael Roth]

Ok, new to discus, did the appropriate reading, took the appropriate steps.
When they were in the store they were much, well, browner.

tank is at 80 degrees, 45 US gallon, 2 ehiem 250s, one magnum 200 for filtration, nitrates, nitrites, ammonia all at nil.

They are very social and all they want to do is eat.

Am I overly worried about a colour change?


http://fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=38237

[Cearbhaill]

Raise the temps- I keep mine at 85ºF and many go higher.
Other than that- they will throw colors around depending on their mood.

Congrats!

[Michael Roth]

Thank you for the rapid assistance. I have raised the temp to 85.

Another question, the Garden center I bought them from was feeding bloodworms, as you can see in the pic, these guys are little. Should I be slipping something else in there also?

[Tyler718]

What are the size or age of them?

Mine didn't get their full color until they passed juvenille stage.

Also, like Cearbhaill already said, they will change colors with their moods or if stressed. When I bought 2 adults, they stayed brown for about a week or so when I first introduced them to the tank. Then one morning I turned the light on and they had all their color.

Dave

[Michael Roth]

The pictures in the link in the first post are of the Discus I purchased, and they might be an inch and a half, at best. to show scale thats a German Blue Ram with them.

[125gJoe]

Looking good..
Of course eating is a good sign. Will the German Ram tolerate the warm temperatures?

[Michael Roth]

Apparently they have been kept together before, but I may have to move him out.

[Cearbhaill]

Variety in food is key- no one food is comletely sufficient.

My Discus eat a huge variety of frozen foods- I've purchased about everything there is out ther and they eat it all. I rotate maybe 6 different foods as well as feeding live blackworms.
Their favorites are Wattley Discus Formulas, Mysis, bloodworms, and Ocean Nutritiom Flormulas #1 & #2 (marine fish food I know, but they really like it). I use Selcon (vitamin supplement) on their food about half the time.

They also love spirulina wafers- go figure. It's reputed to help the blue coloration so I say go for it!

Baby Discus need to be fed frequently- this is why you see daily water changes recommended. I only ever changed water weekly and feed very frequently so there's a bit of standing there and making sure they get enough but not too much.
I feed out of "worm feeders" and found that having two feeding areas helped reduce aggression as well as making sure the smaller ones get enough.

They're fascinating fish- good luck!!

[Michael Roth]

Thanks again, I felt that had to be the case, "a discus cannot survive on bloodworms alone." :>