Are my discus stunted? (first time discus owner)

[Kylel311]

Hello everyone!

Just joined here and posting for the first time. I am an experienced in planted tanks, but not with discus. I recently bought some discus (first time owner) and I'm not sure if they are stunted. I know they are not show quality, but my concerns are whether they are stunted or not. From doing some research, I'm pretty sure they are :(:(:( They all have a huge appetite and are very social. They are about 3-3.5" right now. What should I expect if they are stunted? Besides the non 'discus' shape, would they grow to 5+ inch?

*I took the pictures right after feeding them so their belly might by bloated :hihi:

Red Scribble
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8740/17137032562_e8002d66fc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/s7kLJE)

Blue Diamond
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7594/16516171014_575dd08bab_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ratGed)


Dark Angel
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/16518431673_254c2eaa12_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/raFhf6)

[rickztahone]

Do you happen to know their age? The first looks like it may have a chance at one day reaching 5". The others? Not so much.

Here's the thing, you can have a healthy stunted discus. You don't hear many people say this, but it is true. However, the reason most discus that are stunted are usually sick, is because discus become stunted by being in poor living conditions, which typically means they are more likely to become sick. It is a crude circle, but bad living conditions typically go hand in hand with sick discus.

While these discus are no show discus as you say, they certainly can be a good learning discus to start with. The blue one does look a bit dark though, so I'd keep an eye on that one.

[discuspaul]

Hi Kyle, welcome to Simply Discus.
As you know, we've already met through our posting on TPT, and I'll repeat what I mentioned there, i.e. Your discus, while stunted, seem quite healthy and are eating well, and I feel quite sure they'll reward you with pleasure in caring for them with good water quality and conditions.
All the best to you.

[Banzai883]

The red one looks Like it could still grow. Where did you buy these fish from? This happens in the hobby. I know we all want huge fish. I know that i do but this happens. I have 17 discus at the moment and only 1 seem to be getting left behind in its growth rate. But im not worried becuase he is very healthy and actually eats like a monster. Just keep taking good care of them. You never know, they still might grow.

[John_Nicholson]

They appear that they may be on the way to stunted. I see you mention 5 inches so I just wanted to say that 5 inches is a small fish. Fish that are healthy both genetically and physically should be larger. While there are exceptions females should be 6+ and males 7+ so 5 inches is equal to a grown man being 5'2". Not slamming short people....I come from a long line of short people and I topped out at 5'6" back in my younger days....LOL. Also you are trying to raise young fish in a planted tank. That seldom works. The vast majority of people that try stunt their fish. We have all been there.

-john

[DISCUS STU]

As the others have posted, the first which seems to be basically a Red Turquoise, may have a shot but it also seems stressed due to the darkening and the stress bars. The others cannot show stress bars as these strains have been bred to eliminate them.

As John stated, growing out fish in a planted tank usually doesn't produce healthy fish. I would remove these fish and treat them with Metronidazole and PraziPro at a temp. of 90 degrees for a week in a separate bare bottom tank.

Discus have their own specific and higher maintenance needs. When it's done right the results are awesome.

[rickztahone]

As the others have posted, the first which seems to be basically a Red Turquoise, may have a shot but it also seems stressed due to the darkening and the stress bars. The others cannot show stress bars as these strains have been bred to eliminate them.

As John stated, growing out fish in a planted tank usually doesn't produce healthy fish. I would remove these fish and treat them with Metronidazole and PraziPro at a temp. of 90 degrees for a week in a separate bare bottom tank.

Discus have their own specific and higher maintenance needs. When it's done right the results are awesome.

I'm not sure if medicating is the course of action here, but others may disagree.

[discuspaul]

I'm not sure if medicating is the course of action here, but others may disagree.

I agree. Medicating is not in any way indicated here, and should be avoided.

[DISCUS STU]

I agree. Medicating is not in any way indicated here, and should be avoided.

This is my general quarantine procedure for new fish and what I would do with fish like this. I think a combination of treatment for protozoans, deworming and treatment for flukes may help. This is what I would do. Others do not have to agree.

[discuspaul]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion STU.
Not intending to be critical, but most experienced discus-keepers would not recommend doing any medicating unless the symptoms are evident and it's clearly apparent that it's necessary.
One exception may be treating wild discus for de-worming, for example, if it hasn't already been done by the importer.
That's my opinion.

[DISCUS STU]

I'm an experienced Discus keeper, though I don't speak for others, and with stunted fish like this that don't appear to be as healthy as they should. I would take these measures as these are relatively mild meds.