What does this behaviour mean?

[Timinator]

I have 5 discuss in a 55g tank. 2 of them have to be at least 4.5 to 5 inches (tail incl). First, can anyone tell me how old these discuss might be at that size? Also, yesterday my blue diamond was going on his/her side and was what appeared to be cleaning at the wall of the tank. Then a few moments later, it went near the water heater and like dashed for it rubbing itself on the way by... it did the same for the intake of my pump too... what could this mean?

Thanks
Tim C.

[Carol_Roberts]

Hi Tim:
4.5 to 5 inch discus may well be fully grown and ready to lay eggs. Pecking at the glass would indicate that too, although it is usually done in a normal vertical manner - sideways maybe picking at algae. Rubbing aginst things in the tank is merely scratching an itch.

[limige]

well you posted this in the breeding section so i think you know what it means....lol

good luck! hopefully you have a good male in there!

[JohnY]

Hi Tim,

My guess is that your Blue Diamond has a problem. The darting and scraping is an attempt to rid itself of bacteria or whatever that is causing the irritation.