discus and parasites

[walt]

Hello everybody can discus live with worms or parasites or will they eventually kill them.Also if the feces is normal and not white is it sxafe to assume they are parasite free. Thanks walt

[brewmaster15]

Hi Walt,
Discus have an immune system and can keep many types parasites in check if they are healthy, and not under stress. Some they can not and these can be lethal. They are also stand a better chance of doing so if the parasite pressure is minimal...meaning there are few parasites present, Even a healthy discus can become ill and die though if the parasite pressure is too great. Normal feces doesn't indicate that there are no parasites, it just means that there are no symptoms commonly associated with parasites,


hth,
al

[walt]

My local LFS has some wild discus for sale they have been there for months they eat and are healthy looking discus the owner says they are healthy and are fine was worried about mixing with my fish thanks walt

[brewmaster15]

Walt,
They may be" healthy" in appearance but that doesn't mean they aren't carriers of pathogens. If you get them , you really want to quarantine them and treat them accordingly. Think about it this way... How many times has that fish store brought in orders of fish while those discus were there? and in those orders, many probably have different sources. Those discus could have been infected with all manner of pathogens. You can't trust new fish no matter who they are from.. They may be fine and safe, but they may also wipe your existing stock out. It happens far too often.

hth,
al

[brewmaster15]

Walt,
Please read this thread...
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?118758-Real-world-example-of-why-to-Quarantine-Save-your-fish-read-this

[walt]

All thanks for advice all my discus are from Hans I will buy santarem or tefe from him for the wild look thanks very much walt