Coloration of juvenile Discus

[Eddie]

I edited my post before you replied.

I was just pointing out that sponsors fish are by no means easy to raise. I got real lucky with somethingphishy, mainly because I live so close. They are not as advertised but at least they are healthy. Actually the one in the 1st picture above is looking fantastic: round, good weight, double chin and his coloration and markings are spectacular.

The first one we lost from the sponsor probably knocked himself out on the glass. The second one that died has been a loner since the first one die. Maybe he just pined himself to death.

Its cool, I was trying to find the words. Do you think it could be water related? Maybe water composition?

Also, did you contact the sponsor on the issues you experienced? I'm sure not everyones experience with Somethingsphishy is a bad one but I just find it really hard to even put them in the same realm of dealing with discus like any of the Simply Sponsors.

[mjs020294]

Water parameters have always been constant. Zero ammonia and nitrite, and I struggle to keep the nitrates above 5ppm for the plants. Spent money on products like Marc Weiss Ketapeat Nuggets, and run a filter just for softening lowing the PH.

Its weird most of them are thriving yet one decided to literally starve itself to death. Even in QT after de-worming he still didn't eat.

[Eddie]

Water parameters have always been constant. Zero ammonia and nitrite, and I struggle to keep the nitrates above 5ppm for the plants. Spent money on products like Marc Weiss Ketapeat Nuggets, and run a filter just for softening lowing the PH.

Its weird most of them are thriving yet one decided to literally starve itself to death. Even in QT after de-worming he still didn't eat.

Something that is very important in keeping discus healthy, is their intake of minerals. Discus NEED essential minerals to thrive. They intake these minerals through absorption from water and/or through their diet. Some people raise/keep discus in water with very little essential minerals and yet grow them strong and large. Much of this is due to genetics but also diet and a pristine environment. If a fish goes off food and the source water lacks these minerals, the fish will fall fast as it has zero nutrients to survive or combat illness.


Eddie

[mjs020294]

I have plenty of driftwood in the tank, and use two Marc Weiss products:

Instant Amazon (Blackwater Conditioner): http://www.marcweissco.com/freshwate...nt_amazon.html

Ketapeat Nuggets: http://www.marcweissco.com/freshwate...keta_peat.html

I also have peat moss and peat in one filter.

[Eddie]

I have plenty of driftwood in the tank, and use two Marc Weiss products:

Instant Amazon (Blackwater Conditioner): http://www.marcweissco.com/freshwate...nt_amazon.html

Ketapeat Nuggets: http://www.marcweissco.com/freshwate...keta_peat.html

I also have peat moss and peat in one filter.

But what are your calcium and magnesium levels? What's your gH? Those products will actually decrease your gH. Unless you are wanting a tint to your tank water, those products are not really necessary at all due to the amount of water that needs replaced on regular basis.

Eddie

[mjs020294]

GH is staying stable at 6.5-7.

[Eddie]

GH is staying stable at 6.5-7.

Thats PH, whats your gH

[mjs020294]

Nope that was my KH GH is around 12. PH is 7.4

[Eddie]

Nope that was my KH GH is around 12. PH is 7.4

Well your water has some hardness. Why the use of peat and instant amazon?

[mjs020294]

Well your water has some hardness. Why the use of peat and instant amazon?

Helped stabilize the KH and PH, and it lowers the hardness slightly. Its 14 out of the tap. With evaporation the hardness would keep rising with water changes.

[Eddie]

Helped stabilize the KH and PH, and it lowers the hardness slightly. Its 14 out of the tap. With evaporation the hardness would keep rising with water changes.

Its not gonna help you kh, there are no carbonates or bicarbonates in either of those products.

With young fish, the harder the better, higher gH.