i spoke with the guy who sold them to me. he said it has a crooked mouth, and has always been that way.
dying discus
- Thread starter Onyx4476
- Start date
IMO the products don't do all that they claim. Though I have heard that they can help injuries heal quicker. I've used both with sick Discus in the past and I honestly couldn't tell you today if they made any positive difference, but at least I don't believe they had any negative effect.
Pimafix and melafix are snake oil. A lot of the symptoms you describe could be oodinum. Try proform-c. You'll need a dechlorinator that is thiosulfate based to use with treatments containing malachite green.
everyone us healed up and normal except this guy with the crooked mouth. one gill open, one closed, and shaking every now and then.
Final update: out of quarantine, doing great.
final conclusion: pimafix, melafix did nothing.
water changes, temp raise, and salt did the trick. before i put them back in the 450, i removed the gourami. i believe the real issue all along was the gourami not letting them get settled.
final conclusion: pimafix, melafix did nothing.
water changes, temp raise, and salt did the trick. before i put them back in the 450, i removed the gourami. i believe the real issue all along was the gourami not letting them get settled.
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I take it that the Discus' final show tank is the tank with the rays, etc. It's good that you endeavor to enjoy the hobby to the fullest, and IMO part of that is having your tank setup just the way you like it. But I will say, having kept Discus myself, it will be substantially more work for you to keep the Discus healthy in that tank shown in your last post.
I wish you good luck and hope you enjoy your tank.
I wish you good luck and hope you enjoy your tank.
Discus require pristine water conditions, that is new, fresh water, much more so than most other fish. So you would need to keep that large tank maintained to Discus standards, which will be harder than keeping just Discus alone in a smaller tank, for example:
1. 75gal or 90gal
2. Bare-bottom (no substrate) like you already keep your tanks
3. mimimal feedings
4. vacuum all non-eaten food after feedings, as well as fish excrement
5. 50% weekly water changes, at least double that for sub-adult Discus
There is some guidance on MFK is you would like to read: Thread: so you are thinking about trying Discus
I'd also suggest reading the Stickies on the www.simplydiscus.com forums, if you feel like reading more on the topic.
1. 75gal or 90gal
2. Bare-bottom (no substrate) like you already keep your tanks
3. mimimal feedings
4. vacuum all non-eaten food after feedings, as well as fish excrement
5. 50% weekly water changes, at least double that for sub-adult Discus
There is some guidance on MFK is you would like to read: Thread: so you are thinking about trying Discus
I'd also suggest reading the Stickies on the www.simplydiscus.com forums, if you feel like reading more on the topic.
thank you, i appreciate all advice
i do 50% water changes on thursdays and sundays every week
there are no aggressive fish
the water quality is the best it can possibly be. i test every day. for water changes, i use filtered water that is also tempered at 82 degrees.
i always clean up extra food.
It will be a lot of work for a 450gal and I hope it is enough. Just so you know, tank maintenance for Discus, besides water changes, etc., should include wiping all surface areas (everything your tank water touches) clean weekly. I know it sounds crazy, right? Only time will tell, after 3-5 more months if things are still ok with the Discus.
I kept two different groups of Discus over the ~18 months I kept them. I've kept fish since I was 10yrs old so even after reading about 'proper' Discus care I didn't really accept it. Not until I learned for myself that anything less and Discus eventually start dying. IME once Discus start dying, and especially once medication is introduced, it's a downward spiral where few fish survive. I digress. I would say just enjoy the tank the way it is, keeping in mind that the Discus in there require a big step up in overall regular maintenance for the tank. If something goes wrong then try your best to make necessary adjustments. Good luck.
I kept two different groups of Discus over the ~18 months I kept them. I've kept fish since I was 10yrs old so even after reading about 'proper' Discus care I didn't really accept it. Not until I learned for myself that anything less and Discus eventually start dying. IME once Discus start dying, and especially once medication is introduced, it's a downward spiral where few fish survive. I digress. I would say just enjoy the tank the way it is, keeping in mind that the Discus in there require a big step up in overall regular maintenance for the tank. If something goes wrong then try your best to make necessary adjustments. Good luck.
