Hungry Discus

[mandy-2007]

Hi, i have recently added two discus to my dads 158 gallon tank with silver dollars, angels , some gouramis and cardinals and platys..

I have recently observed the discus when i feed them, they don't seem to want to try the flakes ....

I was wondering what else would the discus eat , i also have read that they rarely accept flakes ....

I would really like comments on expirences with these fish and what you have fed them or what i could feed mine .

 

[Brett]

I recommend good quality frozen blood worms. Discus can be finicky, especially when first introduced, but I've never had one turn down blood worms.

When/if they do start taking flake, I recommend a high quality flake, who's first ingredient is natural sea food (not somthing that ends with meal "fish meal, corn meal') such as Fomula One or Omega Sea.

Good luck with your new fish!
-Brett

 

[VTwinFanatic]

i started all mine out on bloodworms and they seemed never to turn them down...since then i have incorporated a wide variety of food into their diet with bloodworms rarely being on it due to the fact that the bloodworms can possibly cause internal complications. My discus get everything from mysis shrimp, brine shrimp (live and frozen), frozen veggie mix (they are omnivorious so they do need some veggies), prepared beef heart, and some high quality flakes...omega series are pretty good. Are the other fish swarming at feeding time, as this could stress the discus out causing them not to want to readily eat....juvenille discus also need multiple feedings daily also.... They have high metobolic rates so they use the food quickly but dont have a large stomach to keep enough food in there, so 3-6 feedings daily is good. With the arrangement of fish in the tank it could be difficult getting your discus to feed as they like to lazily pick food off the bottom of the tank at their leisure.

 

[Star_Rider]

I fed mine bloodworms and added sinking pellets to them..I prefer the tetra colorbits..small and will sink slowly..
they learn to pick off the pellets with the bloodworm.also if you have them in a community tank..feed them away from the other fish if they are slow to take food..mine feed voraciously. and rarely loose out to other fish in the tank.
you may also want to consider adding ore discus if there is room and you are comfortable with them.

they do best in schools.

 

[VTwinFanatic]

as star_rider said they do better in groups....and mine could be lazy bc they are in a discus only* tank (*there is a leopard frog pleco also)