R.I.P.

[ziggy2]

Lost my big turquois last night to impaction. I caught it too late. What causes this?

[NilePufferFanatic]

Food usualy. Somtimes I "clear out" my fish by adding salt. Salt works as a laxitive. I am not sure how bad some salt would be on a discus.

[ziggy2]

I worry about salt with my plants.

[dirtyblacksocks]

Not much you can do about impaction, the first time I lost one to it it was easily the best looking discus I've ever owned. I called every breeder and importer I knew out here and they all said it happens and there's nothing that can be done.

It's a result of over eating and unlucky digestion - can happen to anything. Same concept as a person being constipated, except fish don't deal with it too well.

[oshp132]

Ziggy, I think that a lot of the discus that are being sold retail are doomed from the start....Most of these are imported from Asia and have internal parasites/diseases....They may seem fine for months, then they will stop eating a little, darken up, clamp up the fins and they're gone.....Sorry to hear about your loss....I know it is frustrating.

[ziggy2]

This fish came from a very good breeder in Chicago. That's where I have got all of the ones I have now. I am waiting for the weather to get some of yours Mike. Thanks.

[Westie]

I was reading TFH and Wattley was mentioning his discus food formula and the use of garlic to control parasites and disease. I've had it happen too. To many times. Just not to wild about making my own discus food. Anybody follow Wattley try this?

[dirtyblacksocks]

I've heard about the garlic, never tried it myself. When I know my discus have parasites I treat them with metro laced food.

However, making your own discus food is going to give you better growth and more brilliant color then any single commercially produced food I know of - it's also a lot cheaper.

[ziggy2]

I have given them garlic but only twice. I guess I'm going to have to step that up.