Discus hiding alot

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sniper-sam

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 4, 2009
169
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Northern Ireland
Hi guys

Recently went back to keeping Discus,
I have a 450ltr tank currently with 12 all about the 3" size mark, different varieties, i have the tank planted, this is a work in progress though with mainly Vallis, also some drift/bogwood.

My slight issue is that they seem to spend alot of the time in among the Vallis, so i'm not really enjoying them right now.

is there something I can do to maybe bring them out and feel more confortable in the tank?

Thanks.
 
is your tank in high trafic? it's not good in high trafic or noise. about feeding, you have to feed the same food that they eat before, so you have to ask the source where you get them from and feed them the same thing. introduce new food slowly.. Post some pics if you can

I am new too (not an expert) and have 12 right now. They are not hiding unless i make a quick move or low noise that scare them away, then they hide for awhile and come back out again. as far as feeding , i feed them at same spot they know now, but it take time. I am feeding bloodworm and i have different foods, but they eat only a little, very picky.

GL
 
how long have they been in the tank. sometimes it takes a while for them to become comfortable. maybe a small school of dither fish would bring them out. my tank sits next to stereo speakers and my dog and myself are always walking past it. my fish are always moving through the tank. give them time.
 
what i use to lure out my skittish discus is live blackworms.
I open the tank lid, drop in a few of the worms, then i duck and hid right below the tank so they cant see me. while theyre eating, i slowly come up, and throw in a few more worms. (they barely notice me).
do this for a few days and they'll get use to u as the food bearer and come out waiting for u at the front of the tank.

other tricks i use: i turn off the lights for a day, and when i feed i turn on only 1/2 the lights.

another trick, i cover the sides of the tank with paper for a few days. (but still let them see my prescence when feeding).

wear lighter colored clothing.

---Your problem could be thhat they are still small and new to their new home. I'd give it a week b4 getting worried.
 
Thanks for the tips/info guys, I went today and got turkey heart which is what the LFS are feeding so lets see what happens.
They havent been in the tank long so it could also be them getting used to their new surroundings etc.

Anyway here is a very quick/crap pic of the tank, any tips or advise on the scaping etc is always appreciated.

e36704cb.jpg
 
Looks good. I think they are just getting used to thier new home. I think that it would be a good idea for you to feed them many different foods that discus typically like. Beefheart, bloodworms, blackworms, brime shrimp, stuff like this will entice them to notice you. If you turn up the temps to 88+ you will have fish that want to eat much more frequently. I tend to see hiding in new fish, sick fish, and smallest in the tank fish. Its not always something to be worried about until you notice dark coloring along with it.
 
ps make sure your water is around 6.5 ph, no toxins, fresh water, temps above 84 (regardless of what other people say), and that it is SOFT and LOW in alkalinity. these will all help your discus appreciate you more :) GL
 
sorry, but I have to disagree with blueblazes. discus, especially domestics do not need low PH. I just posted my wild discus tank in the photo section and touched on this. it an old myth that won't die. domestics are being raised and bred in PH as high as 8.5. I have wilds in 7.6. they probably won't breed but it's a show tank and I have no intention of breeding. a constant PH in much more important. I had one guy ( on another forum ) that said my fish would die within 3 days because of my PH. well, it's been 5 months and my fish are healthy and growing. you can listen to whatever and whoever but my pics are proof that some of the old myths are just not true.
 
Yeah i'm not too concerned with the PH but I have had some useful info and the mixing foods has turned out to be the best.
Tried brineshrimp this morning and they all came out to feed. And now even as I type most of them are out and about.
I think its just the new environment, it will just take time for them to get used to it.

PS - Your tank is absolutely stunning, you must be so proud of it.
 
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