Discus stopped eating

[dansero@outlook.com]

I have a discus that was try to breed with a female but only eat the eggs.
Since then another discus that has taken a fancy to the female. It’s been a week since the first one stopped eating. He (not sure) stays in the corner of the aquarium by the breeding area and occasionally tries to chases the other away. Neither are super aggressive.
Any advice?

[danotaylor]

Re: Discus stopped eating

Some more information would be helpful. Tank size, number of discus, tank mates, bare bottom or substrate, water parameters…
There’s a form you should fill out in the diseases section that will assist the community in helping you

[danotaylor]

Re: Discus stopped eating

This form;

https://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?134179-Disease-Questionnaire-please-complete

[dansero@outlook.com]

Re: Discus stopped eating

50 gallon aquarium set up in end of March 2024
1 1/2 inch of gravel.
Aquaclear 50 with sponge pre filter, sponge, biomax and Purigen.
Dual sponge filter, small hang on back filter.
Java moss, java fern, and a couple of plastic Amazon plants.
4 Cory and small plecto introduced at start.
5 4 inch discus purchased from a local importer 20 April.
Pigeon Blood
Red melon
Lemon
Blue diamond
Other blue
Temp 83
PH tank 6.4
PH tap 6.8
Nitrate minimal
Chlorine nil -use prime
10% daily water changes - clean gravel
5.5 gallon aquarium used for water changes.
Water is heated, power head and pump to main aquarium.
Water is aged 24 hours.
The PB is the one not eating, was and is the alpha.
The red melon is the female
The Blue diamond is the new contender for the female.
The lemon and other blue mainly stay at the other end of the aquarium
The PB still will push the Blue diamond away, but not too agressive.
The blue diamond eats lots and has grown more than the PB.
The female will do the dance with both the BD and PB.
To me, it looks like the PB is depressed since seems to be losing his place to the BD.
Wondering if I should remove the PB for a few days?

[bluelagoon]

Re: Discus stopped eating

10% WC's on discus is almost like doing no WC's at all over that period of time. Do you ever do 50% WC or more? Your discus are letting you know this by not eating well.

[dansero@outlook.com]

Re: Discus stopped eating

10% WC's on discus is almost like doing no WC's at all over that period of time. Do you ever do 50% WC or more? Your discus are letting you know this by not eating well.

Will do 2x10% every couple of weeks.
Note: only one is not eating, the others have great appetite

[Discus Fever]

Re: Discus stopped eating

I agree 2 10% water changes every couple of weeks is not enough. I would do at least 30% every other day but that is me. You need to remember that discus takes more of your time to keep water parameters suitable for them than any other fish you keep in aquariums.

[dansero@outlook.com]

Re: Discus stopped eating

I agree 2 10% water changes every couple of weeks is not enough. I would do at least 30% every other day but that is me. You need to remember that discus takes more of your time to keep water parameters suitable for them than any other fish you keep in aquariums.

That is besides the 10% daily water changes.

[danotaylor]

Re: Discus stopped eating

Can you tell us what "minimal nitrates" is? Do you have a test kit? If so, what is the actual reading?

[bluelagoon]

Re: Discus stopped eating

Forget about 10% all together. Never heard of a 10% WC daily doing any good for 'discus" fish. Long term means old tank syndrome; just too much metabolized organics not getting out of the tank. I'm not sure why your tank is not crashing due to low ph to begin with such small WC's. PH lowers as you had food. At least 50% every other day with aged water. I'd do more like 80%.

[dansero@outlook.com]

Re: Discus stopped eating

Use test strips. The nitrates are between 0 and 1 lower than save zone.
Don’t think it’s water parameters. I’ve been keeping discus on off since 1985.
I’ve had one casualty when I started but that’s it.
I do test the water often and will do more water changes when needed. (PH or nitrates)
I successfully bred a pair about 20 years ago.
What I have never seen before is this challenge between two discus for a female.
I did 3 10% water changes yesterday, and will do two today.
The sick? One just did more cleaning the sword plant but didn’t eat.
I’ve set up my emergency 10 gallon, may transfer him tomorrow.

[bluelagoon]

Re: Discus stopped eating

WOW, unbelievable nitrates; maybe try another nitrate tester and another PH tester too.

[dansero@outlook.com]

I put him in a small quarantine tank for a month. Put him back in the main tank. He stopped only wanting to breed. Doing fine, but hasn’t grown much compared to the others. Doesn’t get bullied, holds his own.
only eats frozen blood worms. Others eat Vera Bites, discus gold, tetra bites.