ExReefer
02-11-2012, 11:37 AM
I recently combined all nine of my discus in my 125G and the group is more skittish than I'd like to see. I suppose I broke up the existing group dynamics. I've been patient and left the tank "as is" for while. Until yesterday, the tank was empty will just a 1/4" of pool filter sand on the bottom. The fish would eat, but not aggressively and they would often huddle in the corner. It was clear they were not comfortable, but healthy enough to eat so I wasn't concerned about sickness.
Yesterday, I added a tall piece of Mopani wood as a center piece. It's shaped like a the letter "V", so I turned it upside down so the fish could swim through it.
Let me just tell what a difference one piece of structure made to the group. Unbelievable difference within 15-20 mins. of adding this piece of wood. Swimming all over the tank, up and down the front of the glass, it's crazy. Last night 7 of the 9 were eating FDBW's from the surface. Something they were too scared to do before.
I believe it takes just one or two fish from the group to feel shy and the rest of the group will react by being less bold. I think my tank location has a lot to do with it. It's a display tank with a decent amount of traffic. When I had some of these fish in QT's, in my fish room, they were bold. It's likely the group would have eventually become comfortable without the wood, but I was getting impatient and adding a simple piece of structure turned out to be a easy solution. It looks cool too!
I'm going to snap some photos tonight and post them. The Red Cover X's have some excellent color. I think they are going to develop into some amazing discus.
Yesterday, I added a tall piece of Mopani wood as a center piece. It's shaped like a the letter "V", so I turned it upside down so the fish could swim through it.
Let me just tell what a difference one piece of structure made to the group. Unbelievable difference within 15-20 mins. of adding this piece of wood. Swimming all over the tank, up and down the front of the glass, it's crazy. Last night 7 of the 9 were eating FDBW's from the surface. Something they were too scared to do before.
I believe it takes just one or two fish from the group to feel shy and the rest of the group will react by being less bold. I think my tank location has a lot to do with it. It's a display tank with a decent amount of traffic. When I had some of these fish in QT's, in my fish room, they were bold. It's likely the group would have eventually become comfortable without the wood, but I was getting impatient and adding a simple piece of structure turned out to be a easy solution. It looks cool too!
I'm going to snap some photos tonight and post them. The Red Cover X's have some excellent color. I think they are going to develop into some amazing discus.