also a reason they may not be getting a fat belly look is that their tank mates are beating them to the food... discus do not like to have to heavily compete for their food...
37 Gallon Discus Tank Thread with Pics
- Thread starter FairfaxDiscus
- Start date
Update:
I went to a better LFS and gave them my 2 male Flame Gouramis. There should now be peace in the tank. I couldn't leave empty-handed, so I bought 4 more Rummy-Nose Tetras to bring my total to 7 of them.
I also bought a Python No Spill tank cleaner to make water changes more often and easier.
Also I've been feeding three times a day for the past three days. The discus are getting a little more color but still very thin. I haven't observed anything white in their feces (someone was telling me to watch for worms). They are finicky eaters with everything I feed them and spit out about 75% of what they try.
I'll do a water change tomorrow night after the new fish have settled in.
What is your preferred way to use the Python for refill?
Directly to tank then dechlorinate whole tank or bucket then dechlorinate?
Cold water only or water out of faucet at tank temp?
Other, please explain
I went to a better LFS and gave them my 2 male Flame Gouramis. There should now be peace in the tank. I couldn't leave empty-handed, so I bought 4 more Rummy-Nose Tetras to bring my total to 7 of them.
I also bought a Python No Spill tank cleaner to make water changes more often and easier.
Also I've been feeding three times a day for the past three days. The discus are getting a little more color but still very thin. I haven't observed anything white in their feces (someone was telling me to watch for worms). They are finicky eaters with everything I feed them and spit out about 75% of what they try.
I'll do a water change tomorrow night after the new fish have settled in.
What is your preferred way to use the Python for refill?
Directly to tank then dechlorinate whole tank or bucket then dechlorinate?
Cold water only or water out of faucet at tank temp?
Other, please explain
Good positive changes for your fish. I add dechlor (Prime) to the tank just before I refill with tank temp tap. I treat for the entire tank volume not just replacement water. Good luck!
Put your declor into the tank for the whole volume of the tank before your new water goes in then refill directly from tap at appropriate temp.
I did a 33% water change tonight with new Python hose. Put the Prime in for the volume of the entire tank as I was refilling (I can see I will be buying Prime in bulk). I took out about 40% of the gravel, will continue to work on that during future water changes until all gone. I've noticed my discus are eating better; only spitting out about 50% of the food they take in vice the 75% they were spitting out before. I've actually observed "plump bellies" on them after feedings. They seem to be getting a little thicker and a little more colorful.
My water parameters were still good before the water change, but I wanted to do everything I could to get these discus to turn around. I didn't add any discus buffer to the water this time so it will be interesting to see how much my water parameters have changed when I test on Sunday before next water change. I will post pics of the tank/discus on Sunday, hopefully there will be some noticable improvement.
The new Rummy-nose are acclimating well and schooling with the original 3. I noticed how much bigger my rummy nose are than my new ones when side-by-side. I have had my 3 rummy nose for over a year.
My angel fish looks especially healthy with all of the high nutrient feedings.
My water parameters were still good before the water change, but I wanted to do everything I could to get these discus to turn around. I didn't add any discus buffer to the water this time so it will be interesting to see how much my water parameters have changed when I test on Sunday before next water change. I will post pics of the tank/discus on Sunday, hopefully there will be some noticable improvement.
The new Rummy-nose are acclimating well and schooling with the original 3. I noticed how much bigger my rummy nose are than my new ones when side-by-side. I have had my 3 rummy nose for over a year.
My angel fish looks especially healthy with all of the high nutrient feedings.
This thread is great! I love it when people actually take the advice they were seeking rather than saying "It's worked fine for a year, so I'm not gonna make any changes!" Your fish will surely appreciate it!
Anyway, a little advice on getting the fish to eat more, have you tried soaking the food in garlic juice? It's a nearly surefire way to get fish to try new foods and/or encourage feeding. It's also very good for fish with healthful properties as well as being an irritant to parasites, which is why it's good to use in combination with any parasite med. It encourages the fish to the the medicated food as well as helps the med to work by irritating the parasites (not a substitute as it doesn't kill the parasites, just encourages them to leave).
Anyway, a little advice on getting the fish to eat more, have you tried soaking the food in garlic juice? It's a nearly surefire way to get fish to try new foods and/or encourage feeding. It's also very good for fish with healthful properties as well as being an irritant to parasites, which is why it's good to use in combination with any parasite med. It encourages the fish to the the medicated food as well as helps the med to work by irritating the parasites (not a substitute as it doesn't kill the parasites, just encourages them to leave).
