Am I treating them correctly?? Need advice and Reassurance

[bigfish77]

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[bigfish77]

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[strawberryblonde]

Hi bigfish,

First things first, ok? Your tank is WAY too big for juvie discus. Those little guys spent the first 2 months of their lives crammed into at most, a 40 gallon tank with 50-60 of their siblings. They are used to competing for food in those crowded conditions and have no problems finding the food.

Now you've taken just a small group and tossed them into 180 gallons of hugeness. You can't expect them to eat or behave in any sort of natural fashion since they are way out of their element.

The best thing to do is to put them into a 40 gallon tank to grow them out a bit before they go back into the big tank. They'll be less stressed, more willing to eat and much more sociable with each other. It's a shame you got rid of the "bullies" since I suspect that they would have been fine in the group in a smaller tank. Stress does odd things to fish as well as people. Some retreat and hide, others go all Type A and try to be the boss.

So toss them in a smaller tank and give them 5-6 feedings a day along with once a day huge water changes, then see if the appetites return to normal. If you see white stringy poop come on back and we'll figure out the next step of treatment, ok?

[bigfish77]

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[bigfish77]

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[PP_GBR]

Hey bigfish, add more fish, move them to smaller tank or use divider. It's your choice. Toni gave you good insight there.

[Skip]

Yes.. tanks to big.. fish too small.. if fish is already thin.. then u got sent sick fish.. and now all ur fish are affected..

Go to home depot.. find the lighting area.. they have the light diffusers look like egg crate.. us that to make divider..

Also lower ur water volume if u cant get smaller tank.. treating 180 g with meds is expensive..

[bigfish77]

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[nc0gnet0]

Either cull the fish or get them a 40-50 gallon tank. Sterilize the 180 with bleach, rinse and dry well and stock with 20-30 3" juvies from ONE source.


Rick

[LizStreithorst]

Ummm...You put fish from two different sources into the same tank? Do what Rick said.

[John_Nicholson]

You took a chance and you pulled the losing card. You are treating without any confirmation of what you are trying to treat. You got rid of the 2 good ones to not stunt the others....well first treating them will stunt them. The size of the tank does not bother me as much as others as long as you are keeping the water changed. You will read the experienced people here ty=alk about QT and bare bottom tanks. There is a reason for this. No real surprises here. You set yourself up for failure and then you failed. Go buy a 30 gallon tank, put them in it, change 90% of your water everyday and keep then at 82-84. The will probably bounce back. Oh and there will always be bullies. It is natures way.

-john

[bigfish77]

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[bigfish77]

Thanks for all the advice guess just need to decide where to buy 20-30 new juvi's from.

[yim11]

Why did you delete the posts? Very difficult for others to learn from this experience if its not available. Lots of great folks took their own personal time to assist here...

[bigfish77]

Seeking comments about current treatment options, not seeking an I told you so type of response... having a bad day.

[PP_GBR]

I though you were a little rough ....

[yim11]

Treatment options weren't offered cuz that's not the best call in your situation.

[bigfish77]

I wasn't looking for options, I wanted to know how long I should rest them off meds to diagnose any further issues. They were off food due to meds curious how long to return to normal.

[bigfish77]

Not interested in culling all my fish. Curious how long I should wait to determine if someone is not eating due to meds or other issue. I was up front in the first thread and honestly was not in the mood to hear never mix stock or start over! That's the last thing I want after working the past few weeks to turn these around.

[bigfish77]

I did fill it out, then everyone told me everything that I knew was wrong already. I was looking for a solution to a problem which I knew the cause. I will just go it alone and rest them and see what happens.

[bigfish77]

People here do spend time and provide good sound advice while others have an I told you so attitude. Either way I get the point but..nevermind tomorrow is a new day. Thanks to all those with the good advice I appreciate your help.

[PP_GBR]

Bigfish

It takes time for new fish to adjust to their new environment. I have a group of 5, less than the ideal #s, and 2 of them are not eating while the other 3 are only eating in the dark or while I'm not in the room. LOL. They are still playing peek a boo with me LOL since March 18 to be exact. LOL Should I be worried about the 2 not eating? No. And if they are not going to make it, I'll be glad to replace them with new fish LOL. Regardless, they are still breathing but not eating. I'll see how long they last LOL.

Be patient and have fun.

[bigfish77]

PP GR: Thanks for the kind words, seriously. I have been stressed since the are off food, just want them to be normal happy fish. About 50% of my 10 all ate well yest so that is a good start. The others 2-3 of which look skinny I am worried about. Yes I will ride them out and see how they do. Patience is not my strong point sometimes.