Hypothetical question

[MaiaDee]

Hey y'all!

I have a hypothetical question. I don't plan on this ever being an issue, but I'm curious:

If you have a nice 2-3 year old discus, with good shape and color that has been well-raised and then the poor thing's water quality becomes consistently sub-par, would the fish lose it's shape and start becoming more elongated?

I know it will more than likely get sick and die, but my question I guess is how established is shape for a discus? Is it something that once they achieve round, round they stay regardless, or can conditions throughout their life influence changes in shape?

Thanks!
Maia

[Skip]

in my non expert opinion.. shape would not elongate..

i would if it was a 2.-3 week old.. or 2-3 month old discus..

but not 2-3 year old..

[MaiaDee]

Thanks, Skip. BTW...your avatar implys your opinion may be of the "expert" variety :)

[John_Nicholson]

The fish could lose some conditioning/fat deposits. The loss of them could affect the shape to some degree, but with proper care it would come back. I would think you would only have permanent damage if the fish was still growing.

-john