I hate my aquarium’s Alkalinity, help me love it.

[DiscusDish]

Is she sick or something. She comes up to it really close and stares at it. And then she flares out her fins with the male when they make eye contact.

[Tshethar]

Hey Matt, I'm no expert but one thing I haven't heard you try doing has to do with changing your maintenance routine a little and simulating the "rainy season." You might try feeding them their favorite foods quite liberally for a couple of days and skipping their water changes. Then do one of your usual WCs, maybe on the larger side but with water in the mid-70s instead of the usual. (Go ahead and let the tank's heater slowly bring it back up to normal.) I did something like this accidentally when I had a heater fail in my aging barrel, and I think it helped. There may be more advice on this approach if you search old threads.

[DiscusDish]

Ok, thanks Tsethar. That sounds like a great idea! I will try that.

[DiscusDish]

I did something like what you recommended. I did an 80% WC with about 75F water. They seem way more active and happy after it. I also noticed that sometimes she will stare/make eye contact with him and then she will twitch her head. Not exactly shimmering or shivering, more like sharp wiggles. I don’t know if this is love behaviour or I’m just seeing things. I guess I’ll have to find out.
I’m actually doing my science fair project on these guys. I’m trying different things to induce breeding.