How do I keep discus alive?

dereks

dereks

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Mar 7, 2006
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I tried once to do a discus tank, they died within a month. What do I need to know? Temp 86, correct? I'll keep them in the same water as the aquarium store, they will be added to a tank that is already cycled, there will be driftwood and more than sufficiant filtration and plants. I'm asking because there must've been something I missed last time, after they died I checked for amonia, none. What did I do wrong? Could old media in the tank affect the stress of the fish even without amonia? Since they're from the amazon do they like dim lighting? Are bright lights enough to stress these guys out that much? How often and how large of water changes? Anything else that anybody can think of would be helpful, thanks!
 
Well, you say no ammonia - discus also need no nitrites and very low nitrates. I assume you checked those parameters as well? Temp 86 is fine, are you talking about juvies? Juvie discus need to be feed 4 or 5 times a day, usually they are kept in a species-only bare bottom tank since they need pristine water and feeding 4 or 5 times a day makes it tough to really clean the tank if you have substrate/decor. For juvies, daily water changes of about 50% are advised. They should also be kept in groups of 5+. Were there any tankmates with them? Where did you get the discus? I have heard almost all LFS discus (unless you know your LFS got them from a reputable breeder) are sick and stunted when you get them.
 
first i suggest looking for a local source for your Discus.
get Domestic Discus not wild.
next.. it is important that you determine if you want Adult Discus or Juveniles.

the juvies should be raised in a bare bottom tank with frequent feedings(at least 4 X daily 6 is better). this means Daily water changes as you need to remove uneaten foods.
water temp should be 84-88 with added aeration.
high temp water tends to have less dissolved O2.
Discus are grazers.. looking for food all day .. I feed my adults no less than 3 feedings.
their tank gets 2-3 50% water changes. per week.
you should monitor all params in the tanks. even domestic discus are sensitive to water conditions. and will not tolerate ammonia or nitrite. it is evens said the don't fare well with high nitrates
 
dereks said:
Don't know how. Symptoms included: No breathing, no movement, and death in general.
Click to expand...

:perv: Ummm, I don't think that was what was being asked. LOL, still a good answer though.

Did the fish show any outward signs of illness, did they all die at once or singularly? What period of time ? hours, days, a few weeks?

Were they gasping for air, have clamped fins, bloat, red gills?
 
DUH! Dead is dead...

Guess its not that important to figure it out now. But watch then next ones you get closely so we know what happens to them before they die...
do ya want help or not?

did they look ok before they died?
Did they eat?
what did you feed them and how often?
how many were there at one time?
What was the water temperature?
were they bloated...Have milky looking eyes?

Ammonia is not the only thing to consider...
 
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i have a book that says that discus are best kept in these water parimerers.

77-82 degrees F
ph 6-6.5
are said to be best. but look around and see what you find!!!
 
rocker92 said:
i have a book that says that discus are best kept in these water parimerers.

77-82 degrees F
ph 6-6.5
are said to be best. but look around and see what you find!!!
Click to expand...

I would get more info.

at 77-82 juvies will get cold. best to keep them in a warm water environment. it helps metabolism.

even for adults you may find that low and expose the adults to stress which can lead to health issues.

zigman is trying to help pinpoint issues which may have lead to the cause of the Discus deaths.

again.. you must keep a close eye on water conditions(parameters)
 
do ya want help or not? Yes

did they look ok before they died? Yea
Did they eat? Yea
what did you feed them and how often? Beef heart, once a day
how many were there at one time? 3
What was the water temperature? 86
were they bloated...Have milky looking eyes? No, no
 
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