No Freeswimming 6 day

[Gamer77]

New to forums here..is my first time breeding discus and i have a pair lay eggs 2 times already..the first all got fungus and this second time 90 % hatch rate..they born at day 3 but now day 6 and still no freeswimming..the parents keep moving them around and only i can see half of them ..anything is wrong ?

[Second Hand Pat]

Hi Gamer77, I think fry go free-swimming the third or fourth day after hatching.
Pat

[Gamer77]

I was reading day 5 ..still waiting they dont even move lol

[RogueDiscus]

So, falling to the tank bottom, or stuck on the breeding surface? Might have to start wondering about water conditions.

[Gamer77]

Water looks fine i check and do 25 % every day..and yes they are all in the bottom of the bredding cone or the floor

[LizStreithorst]

Pat's right.

[Gamer77]

Let me wait and see if tomorrow i have freeswimming..exited on my first time lol..thx all

[RogueDiscus]

What's your water's hardness? KH and GH if possible, or at least TDS. Also, although you are changing water regularly, have you checked it for ammonia or nitrates? Also, 25% is probably not enough. If it's not your water, I think another consideration is often parent health; strength, good feeding, and no pathogens of their own.

[Second Hand Pat]

Water looks fine i check and do 25 % every day..and yes they are all in the bottom of the bredding cone or the floor


What's your water's hardness? KH and GH if possible, or at least TDS. Also, although you are changing water regularly, have you checked it for ammonia or nitrates? Also, 25% is probably not enough. If it's not your water, I think another consideration is often parent health; strength, good feeding, and no pathogens of their own.

Being on the bottom of the tank is not good. Are the parents trying to pick them up and spit them back on the cone? Are the fry sticking to the cone? If they are not sticking that is not good. Could be water, diet etc. Steve is an experienced breeder so he knows what he is talking about.
Pat

[Gamer77]

Kh and gh dunno..tds at 20..all the other parameters are ok..ph around 6.5 i do water changes from rodi water in a container that is constant cicled with a 9 watts uv sterilizer..

[Gamer77]

I notice almost 60 % are dead..the parents try to pick them up but they dont get stick to the cone..

[RogueDiscus]

OK, here's a possibility. Low TDS is great for hatch rate, but the fry need minerals (calcium?). Once they are hatched, you may want to raise the TDS level with each change. I probably do it rather quickly. One of our members here has suggested a TDS up to 180 ppm is beneficial for proper development. Higher doesn't matter, just doesn't improve anything. It seems like you are losing this batch and may have to try again next time.

You said you are using RO for changes. Not sure what your water is like, but a mix of tap and RO might be right.

[jeep]

TDS is pretty low for small fry like that but I'm not sure this is an immediate issue that would keep them from swimming. I always add tap water back in as soon as they hatch.

Also, 25% water changes is very low. Fry are very sensitive to trace ammonia and nitrates. When I have an active spawn I change water 100% twice per day.

[jeep]

Steve posted while I was typing. I think he is correct.

[Gamer77]

I will try all sugestions next time ..thx all

[CliffsDiscus]

I see many deformed fry with bent and curly
spinal. Are they just swimming at the bottom? Wait till their egg sacks dissipates.
Cliff

[RogueDiscus]

I thought I saw that too Cliff. Is there something you think causes that? You're the real breeder here.

[CliffsDiscus]

I thought I saw that too Cliff. Is there something you think causes that? You're the real breeder here.

Steve,
The spawn is fertile but with many deformities probably due to inbreeding,
line breeding or mismatch genetic.
The fry are feeding from their egg
sacks and should dissipate in one
to two days before going free swimming.

Cliff