Why isn't my discus growing?

[TheFanatic]

I doubt there are any parasites, as the discus seem healthy, free swimming, and eating. They don't even mind much when I do the 100% water changes. They patiently wait on their sides until I start filling up the tank again. The only oddity is the one blue's telescopic eyeballs.

Tell me you don't actually do this? No way.

They wait patiently? What would you expect them to do? Their fish. A water change like that has to be a major stressor. Bad idea. Do smaller water changes that allow your fish to remain upright.

Also, Discus are not the fastest growing fish. This is a non issue...

 

[abcdefghi]

Tell me you don't actually do this? No way.

They wait patiently? What would you expect them to do? Their fish. A water change like that has to be a major stressor. Bad idea. Do smaller water changes that allow your fish to remain upright.

Glad someone else noticed that!! I was wondering if they actually leave the fish in there, take all the water out, fish lay on substrate waiting for water to be filled again!

 

[Coler]

I've heard of 'laying the fish on their side' type massive water changes. I don't think it involves literally emptying every bit of water out of the tank, just 99.9% of it - with a tall fish like Discus this has the obvious effect. Check this link http://www.discusnada.org/discus/discus101.html with pic

I'm not a Discus keeper so I don't know the merits or otherwise but it seems like it is not uncommon practice

 

[pinkertd]

Hey Color, that article by Willie is an excellent reference we should point discus newbies too. It really covers all the basics a newbie would need to read before even making a purchasing decision! Good find! And, I would never lay my discus down with a 100% (or 99.9%) water change, I've taken my water down sometimes till their top fin is out of the water....with no harm. Like Willie states, large changes aren't going to stress them if it's changed all the time and the chemistry of the old is the same as the new! My discus, rummies, botias and cories love those big water changes!!

 

[abcdefghi]

The picture in the link is crazy, I can't imagine emptying that much water that my fish are laying down like that waiting for the new water. Wow.

 

[TheFanatic]

I've heard of 'laying the fish on their side' type massive water changes. I don't think it involves literally emptying every bit of water out of the tank, just 99.9% of it - with a tall fish like Discus this has the obvious effect. Check this link http://www.discusnada.org/discus/discus101.html with pic

I'm not a Discus keeper so I don't know the merits or otherwise but it seems like it is not uncommon practice

That just seems nuts to me. No way I take my prized discus and drain the tank down to nothing twice a week.

Then again, I don't believe in the coddling of fish that much. Keep it simple. Do regular water changes. No way I'm using RO water for these guys. I want my tanks to be a hobby not a chore.

 

[Coler]

Hey Color, that article by Willie is an excellent reference we should point discus newbies too.

Its a good read isn't it. I think the main consideration to note concerning 100% water changes is the time taken to prepare aged water with parameters matched to the tank.